Cost of oil in Northern Ireland spikes as Iran war rages whilst Michelle O'Neill decries 'death and destruction'

The News Letter has looked at heating oil prices from suppliers in the Province, and one major outlet in greater Belfast was quoting £519 for 900 litres last week – a sum which tonight had jumped to £819.

Diana Armstrong, UUP economy spokeswoman, said the cost of 500 litres of kerosene has rocketed by over £100 compared to last week, with Donald Trump yesterday saying that the attack on the regime could last four to five weeks (though he added “we have the capability to go far longer than that”).

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it is believed there are “many, many thousands” of people from Northern Ireland currently in countries being targeted in Iranian retaliation, such as the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile in the Assembly Sinn Fein’s stance on Iran was described as being “untethered” from reality by DUP MLA David Brooks, while Mrs Little-Pengelly herself said: “I am absolutely baffled as to why some in this chamber support, or appear to support that regime.

“When I looked up why that possibly could be, it was very clear that, for example, Sinn Fein have had a long-running relationship with the Iranian regime going back many, many decades.”

First Minister Michelle O’Neill delcared it is “absolutely the wrong call” for the UK government to join the “reckless war” in Iran.

“This is death, this is destruction,” said Ms O’Neill.

"This is not going to bring about a peaceful outcome.”

As the war for the fate of Iran rages, it has sparked fears for the shipping moving through the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil supply passes.

There appears to be much bulk-buying under way, with one vendor telling the News Letter that they are no longer quoting for 900 litres due to a surge in demand.

AA President Edmund King said this will soon be felt by motorists too, with pump prices expected to rise over the coming weeks.