ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Foreign oil prices hit a six month high Wednesday as Iran reportedly cut off the supply to several European countries.
While that's raising fears gas prices in the Tampa Bay area could rise, experts say the actions of Iran may be a first step towards $6 gas prices later this year.
Right now, the average price of regular unleaded in Florida is $3.65, according to AAA, 14 cents higher than the national average.
Gregg Laskoski, from gasbuddy.com, says prices all along the east coast are disproportionately high due to a shortage in the refinery capacity for brent crude oil, the main type used in this part of the country.
"I don't think there's any question that we will see prices much worse than now," Laskoski said.
Brent crude is also the type of oil that comes from Iran. That means if Israel attacks Iran, which some experts have said could happen within the next six months, Iran may shut off the Strait of Hormuz, the route for 20 percent of the world's oil supply.
Laskoski says it's possible that could lead to oil at $200 per barrel, and a $2.50 per gallon jump in Florida's gas prices.
"If you add $2.50 to the $4.00 price that we could be looking at come May, you're up to $6.50 a gallon," he explained.
Even if there's no conflict in the Middle East, Laskoski says there's "better than a 50-50 chance" gas prices set all-time records by early this summer.