The increase in the price of petrol and diesel it is already a reality, and the main cause is the new hotbed of tension in the Middle East. In a few days of conflict between Israel and Iran, petrol has exceeded 1,70 euros per litre (self-service), while diesel has touched 1,60 euros. The reason? The geopolitical instability that directly threatens one of the world's largest oil producers: Iran.
Why Israel-Iran War Is Raising Gasoline and Diesel Prices
Tehran is responsible for approximately 3% of the production world di Petroleum and has important industrial plants of refining. Some of these have already been hit in recent attacks, setting off alarm bells on the markets. The main fear is that the conflict could damage Iran's oil infrastructure, reducing production and refining capacity. Added to this is the possible threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route through which a third of the world's oil passes. A possible closure or limitation of the strait would cause further imbalances in global supplies.
The market reacted with a leap forward. The price of Brent, the European benchmark crude oil, has increased by 10% in a few days. A change that, due to the speculation and expectations of the markets, was immediately reflected on the Italian pumps.
Fuel in Italy: where it costs less to fill up
As always, the highways the areas with the remain higher prices. According to the National Consumers Union, today's average prices reveal strong differences regional:
- Self-service petrol under 1,70 euros per litre: Marche, Veneto, Lazio, Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Campania
- Average price on the motorway: 1,80 euros per litre
- Most expensive areas: Bolzano (1,75 euros per litre), Basilicata (1,74), Calabria and Trento (1,73)
For diesel, the cheapest regions (under 1,60 euros per liter) are Campania, Veneto, Marche, Lazio, Piedmont, Puglia and Emilia-Romagna. On the highway, the average is 1,73 euros per liter.
A Summer of High Fuel: The Impact on Italian Families
The price increase comes at the worst time: the beginning of the summer season, with millions of Italians ready to set off by car for the holidays. According to Assoutenti, "these increases risk translating into a real bloodbath for families". President Gabriele Melluso asks for the intervention of Mister Prezzi to monitor any unjustified speculation.
