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The rise in fuel prices following the outbreak of the war in Iran, has yet to be reflected in inflation data and is expected to impact figures in April, analysts told the Czech News Agency.

Consumer price growth is therefore likely to continue accelerating in the coming months from March’s 1.9 percent, according to economists. Experts say the key factors shaping inflation in the months ahead will be the duration of the conflict in the Middle East and developments in energy prices.

If the war lasts for several months and energy prices remain elevated or continue to rise, inflation could at least temporarily move above the Czech National Bank’s tolerance range, according to Raiffeisenbank analyst Martin Kron. The Czech National Bank’s tolerance range stands between one and three percent.

On Tuesday the Czech Ministry of Finance will start the parctice of publishing maximum fuel prices for the following day.  The move is part of a package approved by the government last week in response to high fuel costs.

The excise duty on diesel will be cut by 2.35 CZK per litre, from the current 9.95 CZK, while the tax on petrol will remain unchanged at 12.84 CZK per litre.

Diesel prices in the Czech Republic have climbed to their highest level in more than four years, while petrol has reached a near three-and-a-half-year peak, according to data from CCS, which monitors fuel prices.

Over the past week, the price of the most widely sold petrol, Natural 95, rose on average by 14 hellers to 41.63 crowns per litre. Diesel saw a sharper increase, gaining 34 hellers to 48.39 crowns per litre.

A judge at the District Court in Pardubice on Monday remanded into custody another suspect detained by police on Saturday in connection with the terrorist attack in Pardubice. The individual – reportdly a foreign national -is the fifth person detained in the Czech Republic in relation to the case, with all five now in custody. A sixth suspect - a U.S. national arrested in Slovakia — remains in detention there pending extradition to Czechia.

Police have also detained two suspects in Poland. On Friday, another individual was arrested in Bulgaria, and Czech authorities are expected to seek extradition in all these cases as well. In total, nine people are now suspected of involvement in the arson attack in Pardubice. At least two of them are Czech nationals.

Diesel prices in the Czech Republic have climbed to their highest level in more than four years, while petrol has reached a near three-and-a-half-year peak, according to data from CCS, which monitors fuel prices.

Over the past week, the price of the most widely sold petrol, Natural 95, rose on average by 14 hellers to 41.63 crowns per litre. Diesel saw a sharper increase, gaining 34 hellers to 48.39 crowns per litre.

The government announced late last week that it would cap fuel distributors’ margins and cut excise duty on diesel starting Wednesday. Retail margins for both petrol and diesel will be limited to a maximum of 2.50 crowns per litre.

Excise duty on diesel will be reduced by 2.35 crowns per litre, from the current 9.95 crowns. The tax on petrol will remain unchanged at 12.84 crowns per litre.

The state will also begin setting maximum fuel prices on a daily basis. The system will launch on Tuesday afternoon, when the finance ministry is set to determine prices for Wednesday.