[European Central Bank Official Holzmann: High Oil Prices May Force Further ECB Rate Hikes] According to a report by Jinse Finance, on September 12, a senior policymaker of the European Central Bank (ECB) warned that if oil prices remain near $100 per barrel by the end of the year, the ECB will have to implement further rate hikes. Following the ECB's second rate hike of the year on Thursday, Austrian central bank governor Robert Holzmann warned in an interview that ongoing tensions in the Middle East and elevated energy prices mean that 'inflation risks have risen compared to several months ago.' Since the breakdown of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement in early July, oil prices have surged more than 45%, surpassing $100 per barrel. European natural gas prices have nearly doubled since June, approaching €80 per megawatt-hour. (Sina Finance)