In February, Germany’s inflation rate was below 2%, but economists now predict a rise due to escalating oil and gas prices linked to the Iran conflict. The Institute for Macroeconomics and Economic Research (IMK) forecasts inflation could exceed 2.5% in the first half of the year, while the Bundesbank warns it may approach 3%. The conflict has already manifested in fuel prices, with costs exceeding two euros per liter for gasoline and diesel.