As of Friday morning, the average price of diesel in the U.S. was $6.05 per gallon, with North Carolina averaging nearly $5.90 a gallon, according to AAA. Since the war with Iran began in late February, the nationwide average diesel price has soared by 60%, according to NBC News, but the national average price of regular gas also rose to $4.29 per gallon, up 15 cents from last week.

Impact on farmers and transporters

North Carolina’s farmers are feeling the strain of high fuel costs. Joshua Logan of Grasshopper Farms in Knightdale said the 2026 growing season has been particularly challenging due to a combination of drought and increased fuel prices. “We’re trying to take it one day at a time,” he said; Logan increased the prices of his crop exports to offset the rising costs of diesel, which have doubled compared to a year ago.

Local truck driver Richard Jones said the cost of fuel is being passed down the supply chain; “We have to charge more per load because of the fuel,” he said, noting that a recent 53-gallon fill-up cost nearly $400.

Policy responses and energy strategies

In Spain, petrol prices rose for the tenth consecutive week in April, while diesel prices fell by 3.75%, dropping to €1.795 per litre; the Spanish government increased its diesel from 10 cents to 20 cents per litre starting on September 1, helping to lower prices. Petrol prices, however, have not seen the same support, with filling a 55-litre tank now costing about €99.55—around €18 more than a year ago.

In Germany, fuel prices reached record highs over the Easter holidays, with diesel peaking at €2.440 per litre on Easter Sunday, according to ADAC; the Austria-inspired “12 o’clock rule,” which limits price changes to once per day at noon, failed to curb price surges and was criticized as counterproductive. The Federal Cartel Office is also gaining more powers to investigate whether price increases are justified.

Meanwhile, the Energy Transitions Commission warns that continued reliance on fossil fuels could add $1-2 trillion annually in oil and gas expenditures. “Fossil fuel systems transmit shocks; clean energy systems absorb them,” the report states, emphasizing that 70–90% of clean energy costs are upfront capital, making them less vulnerable to global market disruptions.

Legal and market dynamics in South Korea

In South Korea, HD Hyundai Oilbank denied fuel price-fixing allegations linked to the U.S.-Iran war; Prosecutors estimate that alleged collusion between HD Hyundai Oilbank and SK Energy involved about 14.2 trillion won ($10 billion). Including price increases by GS Caltex and S-Oil, the total market impact was around 26 trillion won. While SK Energy and others were granted leniency, the court is scheduled to hold a pretrial hearing on Sept. regarding additional allegations involving exclusive purchasing agreements and post-settlement pricing practices.

Global crude oil prices have also been affected by the conflict, with Brent crude surpassing $100 per barrel for the first time since July. U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that oil prices are unlikely to decline before the 2026 midterm elections.