Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran are sending Bay Area drivers scrambling to the pumps as global oil prices surge. The rush follows an announcement by President Donald Trump that the U.S. will reimpose a blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. Amid an exchange of military strikes between the two nations, Trump declared America “the guardian” of the strait and said the U.S. will impose a 20% fee on all shipped cargo. Following the announcement, U.S. crude oil prices soared 9.4%, closing at their highest level since mid-June. Energy experts warn the geopolitical conflict will soon hit consumers’ wallets. “If crude oil prices stay where they are, then gas will likely go up 5 to 10 cents next week,” said Severin Borenstein, a professor at the Energy Institute at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. However, Borenstein cautioned that the volatile situation makes long-term forecasting difficult. “There is so much uncertainty,” he said. “If there’s a peace deal, then prices may drop. If the U.S. starts bombing, prices will go up further.” Currently, the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in California is $5.38, according to AAA. While that is lower than last month’s average, it remains nearly 90 cents higher than a year ago. At Moe’s Gas Station in San Jose, lines of cars grew steadily as drivers kept a close eye on the Middle East, hoping to avoid anticipated price hikes. “I’m worried it’s going to go to six bucks, so I’m trying to fill up as early and as often as I can to try to lock in the lower prices while we have them,” said Dave Ortega of San Jose. For many drivers, the creeping prices are already causing financial strain. “It’s ridiculous. We are paying one hundred dollars each time,” said San Jose resident Elyas Rahgozar. “Before it was fifty-five or sixty, now it’s one hundred. It’s very bad.” Others voiced resignation over the fact that local prices are tied to a conflict thousands of miles away. “There’s nothing we can do about it,” said Kevin Chen of San Jose. The anticipated pain at the pump is already altering local travel plans, with several Bay Area residents saying they plan to scale back road trips originally scheduled for the end of summer. ...read more read less