Brokers say the US-Israeli war on Iran could set in train a series of events which will see mortgage rates “rising rather than falling”. Illustration: Paul ScottThe war in the Middle East could lead to a rise in interest on home loans, mortgage brokers have warned, after new data from the Central Bank showed rates were unchanged in January. Brokers Ireland deputy chief executive Rachel McGovern said that while mortgage rates have improved over the past year, the war in the Middle East represents “a new threat on the horizon” with “potential to impact interest rates”. “There are growing concerns about the possible impact of the Middle East conflict on mortgage borrowers,” he said. “A new owner might decide to challenge the other banks and this could lead to lower mortgage rates for borrowers.”

Source: The Irish Times March 12, 2026 01:55 UTC