The increase in fuel prices in Georgia and the city of Akhalkalaki is associated with restrictions on oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in the Middle East. In a short time, gasoline rose in price by 51 tetri - from 2.64 to 3.15 lari. Local residents are unhappy with the increase in prices, but understand the reasons and hope for an early end to the crisis.
The situation is especially difficult for taxi drivers, for whom fuel is the main expense item. Despite the increase in price, many of them do not raise tariffs: trips around the city still cost about 4–5 lari. Drivers note that customers have become less likely to use taxis, and any price increase may lead to the loss of passengers, so some carriers are actually operating at a loss.
The situation on the world market remains unstable: after a short-term decline amid negotiations between Iran and the United States, oil has again risen in price above 100 dollars per barrel. This happened after statements by Donald Trump about a possible blockade of Iran. As a result, the cost of oil increased by about 7%, which continues to put pressure on retail fuel prices in the region.
