The unexpected acceleration of inflation in the Eurozone has raised market expectations that the European Central Bank may be forced to turn to interest rate hikes. This provides support for the cautious stance of the European Central Bank on interest rate issues, especially against the backdrop of soaring energy prices caused by the Iran War. The data released by the European Union Statistics Office on Tuesday showed that consumer prices rose 1.9% year-on-year in February, higher than January's 1.7% and slightly lower than the European Central Bank's 2% target, while the closely watched service sector inflation indicator rose to 3.4%. At present, European Central Bank decision-makers are satisfied with maintaining borrowing costs at a level of 2%, believing that inflation will return to target and that the region's 21 country economy can maintain moderate growth. But the Middle East conflict has increased the risk, with previous risk factors including US tariffs and the strengthening of the euro. Investors have begun to make experimental bets: traders currently believe that there is a 25% chance of the European Central Bank raising interest rates by 25 basis points this year. The European Central Bank will update its quarterly forecast at its next monetary policy meeting in less than three weeks. In its December forecast, the bank expects the inflation rate for the first quarter to be 1.9%.