AUGUSTA — The price of a gallon of gas has jumped dramatically in Maine in the past week.

Price-tracking website MaineGasPrices.com reports today that the average price for a gallon of gasoline has jumped nearly nine cents to $3.45.

This compares with the national average that has increased nearly eight cents per gallon in the last week to $3.34.

Prices are still about 30 cents higher than the same day one year ago and are eight cents per gallon higher than a month ago.

A company analyst says prices are being driven up by Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments.