Amman, March 24 (Petra) -- Gasoline prices in the United States continued to rise, approaching $4 per gallon, as disruptions persist in global energy markets due to escalating regional tensions.

According to data from the American Automobile Association, the average gasoline price in the United States reached about $3.977 per gallon, up 33.2 percent since tensions in the region began.

Gasoline prices vary significantly between U.S. states. In California, the average price reached about $5.82 per gallon (a gallon equals approximately 3.785 liters), the highest in the country, while Oklahoma recorded the lowest level at $3.26.

These figures highlight a wide price gap, with some states seeing increases of up to $1 per gallon, placing additional pressure on the purchasing power of U.S. consumers already facing inflation.

Regional tensions have triggered a sharp ripple effect across global energy markets, directly impacting the cost of living in the United States.

The increase reflects mounting pressure on consumers amid continued volatility in global energy markets, raising the prospect of further price hikes if tensions persist without de-escalation.

As tensions enter their fourth week, gasoline prices have exceeded $3 per gallon across all U.S. states, an economic indicator not seen by consumers since 2023. This underscores the sensitivity of markets to stability in the Middle East, particularly as disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remain a decisive factor in the latest price surge, with nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passing through this strategic corridor.

Energy experts say that any threat to this vital artery immediately raises insurance and shipping costs, which markets quickly translate into higher global crude prices and, subsequently, higher retail prices at U.S. fuel stations.

If tensions persist, their impact is expected to extend to transportation and logistics costs, potentially triggering a broader wave of price increases affecting essential goods. This would place U.S. economic policymakers under pressure to balance military requirements with maintaining domestic economic stability.

//Petra// AF