How conflict with Iran could raise gas prices
AAA says U.S. gas prices are climbing, with the national average now around $3 a gallon.
AAA's Jim Garrity warns that if tensions in the Middle East continue, prices could rise further.
"It kind of relies right now on what happens with the Strait of Hormuz (which connects the Persian Gulf to the Ocean) because that could have downstream ripple effects on the oil market and the entire world because it is a globally-traded commodity," said Garrity. "So, while we don't import Iranian oil in America, if the Strait of Hormuz has any disruptions that impacts China, that could have a downstream effect, even all the way over here across the world."
Garrity says gasoline prices typically start climbing this time of year because of increased seasonal demand, and the high point for gas prices in recent years has come in mid-April.
Locally, gas prices came down an average of 5 cents to $3.23 a gallon in Western PA.
Nationally, the average went up 6 cents to $2.99 a gallon.
