Experts say the war in the Middle East is likely to leave many Irish consumers at least €1,000 a year worse off, even if the US-Iran deal holds. Damage to energy infrastructure has kept prices elevated for oil, gas and energy-linked goods such as fertiliser and plastics. The ECB has already raised interest rates and could increase them twice more this year, adding to mortgage and household energy costs. Analysts say restoring crude output and refinery coordination could take months to a year, extending upward pressure on food and construction costs through higher diesel, fertiliser and processing energy bills.