Summary

  • US President Donald Trump says he may ask European countries to release diesel reserves as he considers banning US exports of the fuel

  • The move could bring prices down significantly for American drivers, but experts warn it would put further pressure on diesel prices in other countries

  • His comment comes as diesel prices in the UK hit record highs this week and are hovering at just under 200p per litre, according to motoring organisation the RAC, as the Iran war puts pressure on the supply of refined fuels

  • The US is a vital supplier of diesel to the world, exporting between 1.2 and 1.5 million barrels per day. More than half of the UK's diesel is imported, with 31% of the imports coming from the US

  • European ministers are meeting on Friday to discuss the potential ban

Live Reporting

Edited by Dan Coles and Craig Hoyle

  1. UK diesel prices hit an all-time high earlier this week

    Diesel prices hit an all-time high of 199.33p per litre earlier this week, the RAC motoring organisation announced, as the war in the Middle East continues to push up the cost of fuel.

    The RAC said on Monday that diesel prices had entered "uncharted territory" and served as a reminder of "just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away".

    The cost of diesel rose by 59p a litre, or just under 40%, since the US-Israel conflict with Iran erupted at the end of February. The previous record was 199.09p in June 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    The RAC will release updated figures later this morning, we'll bring you those as soon as we have them.

    A chart showing petrol and diesel prices since 2022, with significan rises caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the US and Israel attack on Iran in 2026.

  2. UK faces pressure to release diesel reserves as Trump threatens export ban

    Vehicles on busy motorway

    The UK is among European countries facing American pressure to release some of their diesel reserves, as the Iran war puts pressure on supply.

    US President Donald Trump has threatened to restrict diesel exports, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argues that US farmers, truckers, and businesses "should not be left carrying the burden" as prices soar.

    Over half of the UK's diesel is imported, with 31% of the imports coming from the US.

    Diesel prices in the UK hit record highs this week and are hovering just under 200p per litre, according to motoring organisation the RAC - which will release updated figures later this morning.

    European ministers have been meeting in Brussels to discuss the potential ban, with France proposing that European countries release 50 million barrels of diesel.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments.