Pump prices have hit new Iran war highs today as Brits face a fresh cost of living crisis.

The cost of diesel reached 191.68p, while petrol was up to 169.68p, according to the RAC.

Those are the highest levels since August 2022, soon after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The motoring group warned that diesel is closing in on the all-time record of 199.05p set in June that year. 

Oil prices have been surging again amid fears that Saudi Arabia could run out of export stocks in a matter of days if it does not repair a bombed pipeline.

Satellite images have revealed the extent of the damage to the 745-mile east-west oil pipeline after drones were launched from Iraq on Thursday, with a pumping station appearing badly charred.

The pipeline has helped Saudi Arabia – the world's largest crude oil exporter – bypass the Strait of Hormuz by re-routing around four million barrels a day to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Riyadh decided to shut the key pipeline following the attack, threatening the loss of 4 per cent of global supplies and driving the price of crude higher.

If the pipeline remains shut, existing stocks at Yanbu could only support exports for around five to seven days, industry sources told Reuters.

The global energy market is already under severe strain after the Iran war triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas normally flows.

In a sign of the rising alarm at the situation, Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he 'has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia'.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Fuel prices hit new Iran War highs on Monday with petrol climbing 169.68p and diesel hitting 191.68p, surpassing Sunday's petrol high of 169.52p and the diesel high of 191.54p set on 15 April. 

'This takes the cost of filling up a 55-litre family car with unleaded to over £93 and diesel to more than £105.

'Both fuels are now at prices last seen in early August 2022, just a few months after the start of the Ukraine War, following price rises of 8p a litre since the start of September. 

'And with oil well over $100 a barrel, there's no end in sight to high pump prices and the pain it brings to drivers who depend on their vehicles. 

'In fact, the average price of diesel may be on the way to overtaking the record high of 199.05p set on 25 June 2022. 

'Petrol, however, is still a long way from its all-time record of 191.53p on 3 July 2022.'