Natural gas prices on the European market reached their highest level since January 2023 this Tuesday, exceeding 76 euros per megawatt-hour, a rise of more than 4% driven by the Middle East conflict. Gas has appreciated more than 140% in Europe since the beginning of the attacks between the United States and Iran, at the end of February. The concern also relates to the possible risk of toll charges for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's main routes for gas and oil transport, which led the United Arab Emirates to state that this constitutes a "red line". In parallel, the price of a barrel of Brent approached 100 dollars. The rise in energy prices increases inflationary pressure, which could lead the European Central Bank to raise interest rates again at its meeting on Thursday. The European Commission stated that, despite gas storage levels being lower than in previous years, there is currently no immediate risk to supply in the EU.
Eco08/09/26, 20:23