The average price of diesel at UK forecourts has climbed to a record high of 199.18p per litre, surpassing the previous peak of 199.09p recorded in June 2022. Industry analysts and the RAC suggest that the rising costs are directly linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil and gas shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian reports that the price surge is exacerbated by the rejection of a potential peace deal involving Iran, which was intended to stabilize the shipping route. According to the RAC, the financial impact on motorists is significant, with the cost to fill an average family car now reaching nearly £110. This represents an increase of £31 compared to the cost of a full tank at the beginning of the current US-Iran diplomatic tensions. While the current average sits just below the £2 per litre threshold, market observers suggest that prices could continue to climb if the geopolitical situation remains unresolved.