In the structure of the global economy, the Middle East has long been likened to the “heart” of the energy market. As a result, any geopolitical upheaval or military conflict in the region immediately triggers chain reactions in global oil prices. The current conflict is not merely about gunfire; it also marks the beginning of a new cycle of fuel price volatility, directly threatening the stability of production costs and inflation indicators in many countries, including Vietnam. The surge in fuel prices caused by the U.S.-Israel war effort against Iran is not simply a matter of localized supply disruption. From an economic perspective, it reflects a combination of negative expectations in financial markets and real disruptions in key maritime shipping routes. When input costs for transportation and manufacturing soar, the ripple effects inevitably reach the daily lives of ordinary people, affecting even the most basic necessities. Policymakers are therefore confronted with a difficult challenge: how to shield the economy from the headwinds blowing from the Gulf region. An analysis of data from recent fuel price adjustments (March 5 and March 7, 2026) presents a worrying picture. The cumulative increase in gasoline prices exceeded 32%, while diesel prices rose by about […]