The article discusses the potential impact of military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, particularly regarding crude oil prices and gasoline costs in Finland. Industry experts warn that the threat of an open conflict has been looming over the markets, resulting in rising crude oil prices since mid-February, as geopolitical risks have influenced investor sentiments. Hanna Kalenoja, a leading transportation expert from the Central Chamber of Commerce, notes that the market has already accounted for this risk, evidenced by the gradual increase in oil prices.

Despite the apprehension surrounding the conflict, current market conditions show an oversupply of oil along with high inventory levels, which somewhat mitigates immediate concerns. OPEC countries have anticipated potential conflict scenarios and have prepared to increase production in the coming months to help stabilize the market. This suggests that the market's reactions will depend significantly on how the situation unfolds in Iran and the responses from key oil-producing nations, particularly OPEC.

The article concludes by highlighting predictions from various investment banks that if the conflict between the US and Iran escalates and prolongs, crude oil prices could rise to around $80 per barrel, an increase of approximately $10 from current levels. This projected surge in oil prices is likely to have cascading effects on gasoline prices, impacting consumers in Finland and possibly leading to broader economic implications.