The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have raised oil prices and could increase prices at the pump as early as this week. However, the economic impact on the economy and inflation will depend on the length and severity of the conflict. Should it end in a week or two, the effects would be minor and short-lived. A longer war that pushed oil past $100 a barrel for an extended period would worsen inflation, while slowing growth and increasing Americans' unhappiness with the cost of essentials. The price of a barrel of benchmark US crude rose 6.3% to settle at $71.23, while Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 6.7% to $77.74 per barrel. Despite this, economists noted that the US economy is not as oil-dependent as it was in the past due to high supply chain issues.