BOOTS ON THE GROUND. AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I’M RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER WE COULD SEE THE IMPACTS OF THE CONFLICT IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. IRAN IS A LARGE PRODUCER OF OIL, AND THE PRICE FOR A BARREL HAS SURGED SINCE THE WEEKEND. AS WESH 2’S BOB HAZEN REPORTS. FOR NOW, DRIVERS HAVE NOT SEEN THAT TRANSLATE TO HIGHER PRICES AT THE PUMP. IT’S BEEN FANTASTIC THE LAST FEW MONTHS. LARRY MANCINI FILLED UP HIS TANK NEAR WINTER PARK THIS MORNING. THE PRICE HERE WAS 286 A GALLON FOR REGULAR. VERY HAPPY WITH WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW. FILLING UP HAS BEEN CHEAPER. IN FACT, TRIPLE A SAYS GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN $0.20 LOWER THAN THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR. BUT THE CONFLICT IN IRAN DOES SUGGEST THAT THESE NUMBERS MIGHT START GOING UP IF THERE’S A BIG IMPACT ON OIL SUPPLIES OR EVEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN, THEN THAT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OIL PRICES. AND IF OIL PRICES INCREASE, THEN GAS PRICES INCREASE AS WELL. MARK JENKINS WITH TRIPLE A, POINTS OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH THE U.S. DOESN’T IMPORT OIL FROM IRAN, THAT OIL DOES GO INTO THE GLOBAL MARKET AND THAT AFFECTS THE PRICES EVERYWHERE. PLUS, GAS USUALLY GOES UP THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH SPRING BREAK TRAVEL AND THE NORMAL WORKINGS OF THE INDUSTRY. WE’RE MOVING INTO A TIME WHEN REFINERIES SWITCH OVER TO THAT SUMMER BLEND GASOLINE, WHICH IS MORE EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE. REFINERIES ARE ALSO ENTERING INTO THEIR SEASONAL MAINTENANCE PERIOD, SO RIGHT NOW THERE’S ALREADY UPWARD PRESSURE ON PRICES AT THE PUMP. AT THIS POINT, NO ONE CAN SAY HOW MUCH GAS WILL GO UP. FOR NOW, OIL IS STILL NOWHERE NEAR HOW HIGH IT GOT WHEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE. MANCINI SAID HE EXPECTS TO PAY MORE, BUT HOPES IT DOESN’T LAST TOO LONG. IF THEY TAKE A TEMPORARY SPIKE, I UNDERSTAND IT’S GOING TO BE A NECESSARY EVIL. I EXPECT THEM TO GO RIGHT BACK DOWN. YOU KNOW, IT’S SHORT TER
Strike on Iran: Could gas prices go up in Central Florida?
Updated: 12:18 PM EST Mar 2, 2026
Drivers in Central Florida are concerned about potential gas price increases, as the conflict in Iran has led to a surge in oil prices, though current pump prices remain stable. Larry Mancini filled up his tank near Winter Park, noting that the price of regular gas was $2.86 a gallon and expressing satisfaction with the current rates.Gas prices have been lower recently, with AAA reporting that they are 20 cents less than this time last year. However, the situation in Iran suggests that these numbers could rise soon.Mark Jenkins from AAA explained, “If there’s a big impact on oil supplies or even the supply chain, that has a direct impact on oil prices. And if oil prices increase, then gas prices increase as well.” He pointed out that while the U.S. does not import oil from Iran, the global market is affected, which in turn impacts prices everywhere. Additionally, gas prices typically increase during this time of year due to spring break travel and industry patterns. Jenkins said, “We’re moving into a time when refineries switch into that summer blend gasoline which is more expensive to produce, refineries are also entering into their seasonal maintenance period, so right now there’s already upward pressure on prices at the pump.”At this point, no one can say how much gas will go up. For now, oil is still nowhere near how high it got when Russia invaded Ukraine. Mancini said he expects to pay more but hopes it doesn’t last too long. “If they make a temporary jump, I understand, it’s a necessary evil. I expect them to go right back down. It’s short-term, you gotta look at the big picture,” he said.
Central Florida —
Drivers in Central Florida are concerned about potential gas price increases, as the conflict in Iran has led to a surge in oil prices, though current pump prices remain stable.
Larry Mancini filled up his tank near Winter Park, noting that the price of regular gas was $2.86 a gallon and expressing satisfaction with the current rates.
Gas prices have been lower recently, with AAA reporting that they are 20 cents less than this time last year. However, the situation in Iran suggests that these numbers could rise soon.
Mark Jenkins from AAA explained, “If there’s a big impact on oil supplies or even the supply chain, that has a direct impact on oil prices. And if oil prices increase, then gas prices increase as well.”
He pointed out that while the U.S. does not import oil from Iran, the global market is affected, which in turn impacts prices everywhere.
Additionally, gas prices typically increase during this time of year due to spring break travel and industry patterns.
Jenkins said, “We’re moving into a time when refineries switch into that summer blend gasoline which is more expensive to produce, refineries are also entering into their seasonal maintenance period, so right now there’s already upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
At this point, no one can say how much gas will go up. For now, oil is still nowhere near how high it got when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Mancini said he expects to pay more but hopes it doesn’t last too long.
“If they make a temporary jump, I understand, it’s a necessary evil. I expect them to go right back down. It’s short-term, you gotta look at the big picture,” he said.