Oil and gas prices are soaring as conflict in the Middle East intensifies, prompting concerns here at home about the cost of fuel at the pump. The national average for gas prices shot up this week to $3.598 a gallon, the highest level this year, according to AAA data. Oil prices have surged since the start of the Iran war, with U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude futures (CL=F) rising above and below $100 a barrel. Brent crude futures (BZ=F), the international benchmark, also spiked. In the aft ...