SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – The war in Iran is affecting Michiana residents through rising gas prices, agricultural challenges and cybersecurity threats.
Gas prices in the region remain elevated. As of Thursday evening, South Bend averaged $3.85 per gallon for regular gas, down a cent from the previous day. Elkhart held steady at $3.87, while Benton Harbor rose 9 cents to $3.85.
Diesel prices have climbed above $5 per gallon at some pumps, affecting farmers who rely on diesel-powered trucks and equipment.
Fertilizer shortage threatens farmers
The Strait of Hormuz, the main port for fertilizer in the Middle East, is now closed after Iran shut down the port. The closure comes during a critical planting window as spring begins.
“Right now, based on the war in Iran, the prices of fertilizer has risen 30 to 40 percent,” said John Boyd, founder and president of National Black Farmers Association. “For people who don’t understand, that’s an additional 140 dollars a metric ton for Americas farmers.”
RELATED: Iran war impacts fertilizer costs for Indiana farmers
Boyd said farmers are in a crisis, with several facing foreclosure across the country.
“Well the compromise you have to make is one, America’s farmers require farm operating loans and our lenders look at the bottom line for all of these increases that cut into our bottom line and that’s a hard sale for a lender when the prices of crops aren’t what they used to be,” Boyd said.
The fertilizer shortage is expected to affect livestock feed and consumer prices at grocery stores and markets.
Cyberattack hits Michigan medical company
An Iranian cyberattack wiped out computer networks at Stryker, a Michigan-based medical equipment and technology company.
Dr. David Utzke, a cybersecurity expert and cybercrime investigator, said the attack targeted the private sector.
“They’re actually going after the private sector, the civilian sector,” Utzke said. “A lot of that is to influence and pressure political leaders to change their course of action.”
Utzke said AI presents challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity, allowing hackers to develop sophisticated attacks while also providing defense capabilities for American companies.
“The message that should be getting received is we need to beef up our systems around cybersecurity,” Utzke said. “It’s not the old days of accounting where once a year I audit my books. Technology demands persistent, ongoing, 24/7 monitoring.”
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