PNN – The spread of livelihood-related protests in France has once again highlighted the cross-border repercussions of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; widespread protests in France—which began with demands from students—have recently evolved into demonstrations against the rising cost of living, surging fuel prices, and dissatisfaction with the state of public services.
These protests have gradually encompassed broader segments of society, ranging from school and university students to workers, labor unions, and citizens frustrated by the erosion of their purchasing power.
A factor extending beyond France’s borders has contributed to intensifying economic pressure within the country: the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February 2026. The repercussions of this conflict—ranging from disruptions in energy markets to rising fuel and transportation costs—have spilled over into the European economy.
A Reuters report from yesterday, October 20, 2026, notes the spread of protests across France and several other European nations, identifying the U.S.-Iran war as a key driver of the escalating cost-of-living crisis in Europe.
According to European Commission estimates cited by Reuters, the disruptions to trade and energy markets resulting from this war have imposed a cost of approximately 100 billion euros on the European economy.
Meanwhile, gas prices in the aforementioned markets have risen by approximately 140 percent, and the price of diesel in Europe has doubled.
Signs of this pressure are evident in France, particularly within the fuel market. According to data from the European Commission’s weekly oil bulletin, the average price per liter of diesel in France rose from approximately €1.65 during the week ending February 23, 2026 (i.e., prior to the outbreak of the war) to about €2.33 during the week ending October 12—an increase of roughly 41 percent.
During this same period, the price of gasoline rose from approximately 1.71 euros to 2.21 euros per liter—an increase of nearly 29 percent. Consequently, French drivers are now paying about 68 cents more per liter for diesel and 50 cents more per liter for gasoline than they were before the war.
For households that rely on automobiles, this price hike represents more than just a simple change in the cost of a commodity; the expenses associated with commuting to work, transporting goods, agricultural activities, and transport services are all highly sensitive to fuel prices.
Rising fuel costs can gradually filter through to the prices of goods and services—particularly in sectors where transportation accounts for a significant portion of the final cost. Consequently, an increase in the price of gasoline and diesel can impact the purchasing power of households, even those that do not purchase fuel directly.
This trend is also reflected in France’s official inflation statistics. According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the annual inflation rate—which stood at 0.9% prior to the outbreak of the war—tripled, reaching 3.1% by September.
Using the European Union’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices—a metric employed to compare European nations—inflation in France has risen from 1.1 percent in February to 3.4 percent in September, reaching its highest level since January 2024.
However, to accurately interpret these figures, one must distinguish between the general rise in prices and the specific contribution of the war to this increase. While not all of France’s inflation can be attributed to the war, an analysis of price shifts and assessments by the country’s statistical agencies indicate that energy has played a pivotal role in accelerating inflation.
According to a report by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), energy prices in September rose by 21.3% compared to the same month last year—an increase that stood at 12.6% in July and 16.7% in August. Over the same one-year period, the prices of petroleum products climbed by 36.2%, while gas prices increased by 19% and electricity prices by 1.4%.
The institute’s economic report for September also draws a more explicit link between these developments, explaining that after falling below 1% in late 2025 and early 2026, inflation in France began to accelerate in March—following a rise in hydrocarbon prices triggered by the onset of the conflict in the Middle East.
The French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) has also projected that the gradual pass-through of rising energy costs into the selling prices of various products—ranging from food and agricultural goods to industrial items and air transport—could sustain inflationary pressure in the coming months.
Macron’s own remarks on October 18 clearly confirm this connection; according to Le Monde, while explaining his trip to the Persian Gulf states to secure energy supplies, the French President attributed the rise in fuel prices to a war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran.