Diesel pump worth poised for all-time excessive this weekend as Iran warfare carnage hammers drivers… with fears US export ban might add to distress

The cost of diesel is on course to reach an all-time high this weekend as drivers continue to be hammered by the Iran war. 

On Friday average pump prices were running at 198.32p, only marginally short of the record of 199.09p set four years ago.

The milestone is approaching amid fears that Donald Trump is considering a ban on US diesel exports that could see the situation deteriorate further.

Calls are growing for Chancellor John Healey to act to curb costs for motorists in the Budget next month. 

British families are already facing a miserable winter, with energy bills on track to soar by a quarter in January and the Bank of England poised to push up interest rates. 

The RAC said average pump prices are running at 198.32p, only marginally short of the previous record of 199.09p set four years ago (file picture) 

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘The average price of diesel is teetering on the brink of a new all-time high at 198.32p, taking the cost of a 55-litre fill-up for a family car to £109. 

‘The record of 199.09p will almost certainly be surpassed over the weekend as retailers continue to pass on the increases they’re seeing when they buy new supply. Petrol is now averaging 173.6p – its highest price in more than four years. 

‘Petrol has risen nearly 12p in September and more than 40p since the Iran War began. Diesel is up 14.5p this month alone and 55p since 28 February.

‘Sadly for drivers, there appears to be no end in sight to high prices at the pumps as the cost of a barrel of oil hit $106 having been around that $100 mark for the last two weeks. 

‘A significant drop in the price of oil is badly needed but this seems unlikely without the US and Iran striking a deal.’