Drivers in the UAE are bracing for the official announcement of September’s fuel prices, which is expected early next week. With global oil prices remaining elevated throughout August—averaging around $87.7 per barrel compared to July’s $83.46—there is speculation that motorists might face another modest increase at the pump. This upward pressure on costs is largely tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, specifically threats to shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and new, stricter sanctions imposed by the US on Iran, which have created significant uncertainty regarding global supply.

While there was a brief sign of relief as some tankers navigated the Strait, market experts suggest that structural supply constraints will likely keep fuel prices high. Analysts from Zaye Capital Markets and Century Financial note that the market remains hypersensitive to any news regarding Iranian exports or regional refinery access. Unless diplomatic conditions shift significantly to normalize shipping flows, the current "risk premium" on crude is expected to persist. For now, residents await the official word on whether these global economic pressures will translate into higher costs at local stations starting next month.