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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Larry Elliott in Washington

Middle East conflict risks sharp rise in oil prices, says IMF

Abadan oil refinery in south-west Iran
Abadan oil refinery in south-west Iran. Previous wars in the Middle East have led to a sharp increase in oil prices. Photograph: Essam Al-Sudani/Reuters

An escalating Middle East conflict risks leading to higher oil prices, a reversal of the recent fall in inflation and a puncturing of the optimistic mood in financial markets, the International Monetary Fund has warned.

The Washington-based IMF said it was closely monitoring events in the region after Iran’s missile strike on Israel at the weekend and stressed the possibility that a war between the two countries could lead to higher interest rates.

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