CINCINNATI, Ohio (WXIX) — Conflict in Iran has caused massive gas price hikes across the country. According to AAA, Ohio experienced one of the largest average price jumps in the country Monday night into Tuesday morning.
AAA spokesperson Morgan Dean said Ohio’s average price rose 31 cents in the last week and nine cents from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Dean explained that instability in Iran causes global market prices to increase because Iran is one of the world’s largest oil producers. Interruptions in production reduce supply.
He also said that regional instability has halted the transportation of oil.
“A lot of the crude oil that’s shipped around the globe through the Middle East goes through the Strait of Hormuz there next to Iran, and a lot of the ships there had stopped over the weekend,” he said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about when transport might resume and what the president can do to speed up the process.
She said the departments of war and energy are keeping an eye on the situation.
“It’s, again, something they’re monitoring. And if and when necessary, the United States Navy will provide assistance to escort oil tankers through the Strait,” she said.
Dean said he does not expect the price increases to stop soon.
“We could see more price hikes, and the longer that his conflict goes on, the longer we see impacts, and the more likely we see prices go up again,” he said.
He said to maximize your gas mileage, you should make sure your tires are fully inflated, your vehicle is up to date on routine maintenance and you drive smoothly.
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