French Diesel Hits Record €2.41/Liter as EU Fuel Prices Surge on Middle East Conflict

French diesel prices reached a record €2.41 per liter on September 21, 2026, as EU petrol and diesel benchmarks hit all-time highs, according to European Commission data. The EU weighted average for petrol stood at €2.063 per liter and diesel at €2.159 as of September 14, the highest readings since the Commission's series began in 2005, AFP reported. France remained among the bloc's most expensive fuel markets, alongside Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland. Pump prices have climbed since the US and Israel launched a war with Iran in February, with renewed conflict in Yemen and attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure accelerating the spike. Brent crude remains above $100 a barrel despite a three-day decline following a roughly 20% September surge. European refining margins remain elevated, with ECB experts projecting diesel margins to peak in October. Rising fuel costs have fueled social tensions, with Paris wary of a repeat of the 2018 yellow vest protests.