Oil Prices Could Reach $150 per Barrel in the Coming Days, Says Economist Aram Belhaj
Published Sunday, 8 March 2026
Summary
Aram Belhaj, university professor and economist, warned on Sunday that global oil prices may climb to $150 per barrel in the near future. He links the surge to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and argues that the scenario poses a serious economic threat to Tunisia.
Key Points of the Analysis
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Rapid rise in international oil prices could trigger several adverse effects for the Tunisian economy:
- Higher government subsidies for fuel, widening the fiscal deficit.
- Increased fuel prices for consumers, feeding directly into inflation.
- Higher energy costs for imports, aggravating the energy deficit and swelling national debt.
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“All signs indicate that analysts’ forecasts of Brent hitting $150 are becoming reality, given the continued tensions in the Middle East,” Belhaj stated.
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Vulnerable sectors: Industries heavily dependent on energy—both for production and direct consumption—are the most at risk.
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Policy recommendation: Tunisia must prepare adjustment measures to cushion households and the broader economy from the price shock.
Outlook
Despite the gravity of the situation, Belhaj ends his analysis on a cautious, hopeful note: “May God grant the best,” expressing his wish that effective solutions will mitigate the impact on the Tunisian population.
Context
Belhaj’s warning comes amid heightened global volatility, where oil price swings are tightly linked to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. The potential $150‑per‑barrel level could have immediate repercussions for Tunisia’s budgetary and monetary policies.
Keywords: oil price surge, Brent $150, Tunisia economy, fiscal deficit, inflation, energy import costs, Middle East tensions, economic adjustment measures.
