Eurasia Press & News
Fuel prices have surged in Afghanistan in recent days, a development that traders attribute to the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Residents and business owners report that the price of gasoline and diesel has climbed by at least seven afghanis per liter over the past three days.
Economic observers warn that if the conflict continues, it could trigger further increases not only in fuel and liquefied gas prices but also in food and other essential commodities.
Afghanistan maintains annual trade with Iran worth more than $3 billion, with a significant portion of its fuel and gas imports sourced from its western neighbor. Traders report that the price of imported diesel has jumped by $280 per metric ton, while gasoline prices have risen by $120 per ton since the conflict intensified.
Currently, diesel is being sold at approximately $1,200 per ton, and gasoline at $1,160, according to figures provided by fuel importers. Diesel, primarily imported from Iran, constitutes a major portion of Afghanistan’s fuel supply, making the country particularly vulnerable to disruptions in regional energy markets.
Some residents of Kabul say the ripple effects have already reached their daily expenses. The value of the U.S. dollar has risen against the Afghan afghani in recent days, further pushing up the cost of food and household goods.
“The dollar is climbing fast, and everything is getting more expensive—from groceries to transportation,” said Ahmad Javid, a resident of the capital. “People are worried, and we don’t know how bad this will get.”
Official statistics show that more than 20 percent of Afghanistan’s total imports originate from Iran. With more than 900 kilometers of shared border, the two countries are closely linked economically. Afghan provinces such as Herat, Farah and Nimruz border Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan and Khorasan regions, where trade routes are critical to both economies.
Economic analysts caution that a prolonged conflict could strain regional supply chains and drive up prices on fuel and other strategic goods. “Afghanistan’s dependency on Iranian imports makes it particularly susceptible to geopolitical shocks in the Gulf,” one analyst said.
