Rising fuel prices fuel protests as US-Iran war squeezes global energy supplies

Global energy supplies have come under pressure as the war between the United States and Iran has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel, with higher fuel costs triggering protests and government relief measures in several countries.

The disruption has raised household and business costs, while governments have faced growing pressure to contain the impact of higher energy prices, says the CNN.

In the United States, households are facing higher petrol prices, alongside warnings that winter heating oil costs could rise by 30%.

In Syria, protests erupted after the government temporarily raised diesel prices by about 40% to 175 Syrian pounds ($1.43) per litre and increased gas prices by more than 25%.

Demonstrators burned tyres, blocked the Hasaka-Deir ez-Zor highway and stopped oil tankers, while further protests were reported in Aleppo.

The demonstrations were described as the largest in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime two years ago. Protesters initially focused on fuel prices rather than wages, but broader grievances over declining purchasing power and poor public services have increasingly taken on a political dimension, including calls for government officials to resign.

The Energy Ministry attributed the price increases to surging global energy prices and maintenance at the Baniyas refinery, which has increased the country's reliance on imported fuel.

In Guatemala, organised trucker groups and other protesters blocked highways, while peaceful demonstrations were held in Guatemala City.

Congress is working on legislation to cap fuel prices through the end of the year by providing subsidies to fuel importers. Congressional leaders have said that controlling diesel prices is particularly important because the fuel is central to the country's economy.

In Portugal, about 80 demonstrators organised by local business leaders marched to the home of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Espinho, protesting fuel prices and rising living costs.

The Portuguese Firefighters' League has warned that higher fuel expenses have become unsustainable for volunteer fire brigades. The government has announced a relief package providing direct support to freight transporters, taxi drivers, volunteer fire services and the social sector.

In France, about 50 fishermen blockaded a major fuel depot in Fos-sur-Mer for several hours, with the protest briefly escalating into clashes with police.

Local officials have called for urgent government intervention, saying higher fuel and operating costs have pushed the local fishing industry into an untenable situation.

In the Philippines, the transport group Manibela went on strike after petrol prices increased by 5.68 pesos per litre, alongside increases in diesel and kerosene prices.

Protesters and trade unions marched towards the presidential palace in Manila, linking domestic poverty and hunger to US military action in Iran. Student unions also joined demonstrations over wider cost-of-living pressures.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the government had cleared key hurdles that could allow it to reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.

The protests and government measures underscore the wider economic effects of the conflict, as higher energy costs put pressure on households, transport operators, businesses and public services across countries dependent on imported fuel.