Any prolonged interruption would increase shipping, insurance and fuel costs while forcing some tankers to take longer routes.

The immediate impact for UK households is likely to be felt at petrol stations, where changes in wholesale oil prices can feed through within weeks.

The RAC has previously warned that sustained $100 oil could push average petrol prices towards 150p a litre and diesel close to 180p.

Higher transport costs would also add pressure to food prices, logistics and wider inflation, potentially making it harder for the Bank of England to cut interest rates.

The impact on household gas and electricity bills is less direct but a prolonged energy shock could lift global gas and liquefied natural gas prices. That would increase wholesale purchasing costs for UK suppliers and put upward pressure on future Ofgem price caps.

Britain’s July price cap has already risen by 13%, largely because of higher wholesale costs linked to conflict in the Middle East.

Further disruption would leave households and businesses facing another period of volatile energy prices as markets assess whether the attacks remain contained or develop into a wider supply crisis.