Florida gas prices rise amid Middle East tensions

Gas prices in Florida increased this past week due to global supply disruptions linked to renewed conflicts in the Middle East. AAA reported that the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida reached $4.28 on Monday, marking a 14-cent increase from the previous week and a $1.38 rise since late February.

This spike follows a roughly 27 percent rise in global crude oil prices over a three-week period, bringing prices back to the $100 per barrel level. AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins noted that ongoing tensions in the Middle East have created uncertainty regarding global oil supplies, placing upward pressure on prices.

In Florida, gasoline prices varied by region, ranging from $4.56 in Monroe County to $4.04 in the Panhandle counties of Escambia and Bay. Diesel prices averaged $6.28 a gallon, a slight weekly decrease of 3 cents but a 76-cent increase over the past month.