Fuel prices in Northern Ireland have risen faster than in any other UK region since the start of the Iran war. Official data shows petrol costs have jumped by 19% since the end of February, while diesel is now 35% more expensive. These increases are among the largest recorded across Europe. At the beginning of April, filling a 50-litre tank cost an average of £75 for petrol and £91 for diesel. This compares with £63 for petrol and £67 for diesel on 28 February, the day US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began. Northern Ireland has historically enjoyed some of the lowest fuel prices in the UK due to stronger competition, less supermarket dominance, and links with Ireland. However, the recent surge has narrowed the price gap with other regions. Across the UK, fuel prices continue to rise as the conflict in the Middle East shows no sign of easing. On average, petrol prices are up 16% and diesel by 30% since the war began. Analysis by Eurostat and UK government sources shows that only seven European countries have recorded larger petrol price increases than Northern Ireland, with Austria seeing rises of nearly 25%. Diesel prices across Europe have climbed by up to 44% in Estonia. Data from the government’s new Fuel Finder scheme shows that in England, the north has experienced the sharpest petrol price increase. Drivers are paying an average of 154p per litre, up from 132p per litre at the start of the war. Rural areas show similar trends, but at least 100 stations in mostly rural England and Scotland are charging between 180p and 210p per litre. Major fuel retailers have also raised prices sharply. Shell petrol stations charge an average of 158p per litre for standard unleaded petrol. BP and Esso stations charge an average of 157p and 155p, respectively. This represents a 16% increase for Esso and Shell and a 15% increase for BP since the outbreak of the Iran war, when unleaded petrol was 133p at Esso and 136p at BP and Shell. Retailers, including fuel companies, control local petrol prices. Costs are based on wholesale fuel prices, local competition, and profit margins. Under the government’s new scheme, which began in February, stations must report price changes within 30 minutes of any adjustment. Petrol stations have a three-month grace period before fines are applied for non-compliance. The Fuel Finder data, combined with historical records from Fuel Costs, covers roughly 70% of the UK’s more than 8,300 petrol stations. The remaining stations either submitted incomplete data or missed deadlines. Simon Williams, head of policy at RAC, said drivers face “truly eye-watering fuel prices” this Easter weekend. RAC analysis shows petrol prices have risen nearly 22p per litre, or 16%, to an average of 154.45p since the start of the war. Diesel has increased even more dramatically, climbing almost 9p per litre in a single week. Since February, diesel is up 43p per litre, a 30% increase, reaching an average of 185.23p – a price last seen at the end of November 2022. These sharp rises are affecting household budgets and travel costs across Northern Ireland. Analysts warn that as the Iran conflict continues, fuel prices could remain volatile or climb further. The surge reflects both international tensions and local supply dynamics, including Northern Ireland’s links to the Republic of Ireland and historical pricing structures. For many drivers, the increases mark a significant shift from the past several years, when Northern Ireland benefited from some of the UK’s lowest petrol and diesel prices. With no immediate resolution in the Middle East and wholesale costs high, residents may face prolonged pressure at the pumps. Northern Ireland fuel prices are now closely watched across the UK as a benchmark for regional price changes. Policymakers and consumer groups are urging transparency and careful monitoring to ensure that prices remain fair and that rural communities are not disproportionately affected. The combination of global conflict, local market structures, and reporting transparency under Fuel Finder makes Northern Ireland a key focus in understanding how international crises impact everyday fuel costs in the UK.