U.S. 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises to 6.49% as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalation Stirs Concerns

U.S. mortgage rates rose to 6.49%, reversing the prior week’s decline. According to Jin10, markets are concerned that a new round of U.S.-Iran conflict could push up oil prices and keep borrowing costs elevated. Freddie Mac said in a Thursday statement that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.43% from a week earlier, compared with 6.72% a year ago. The report said the Iran war has affected the housing market since the conflict broke out in late February. It added that a ceasefire agreement had raised hopes that easing geopolitical tensions could help stabilize borrowing costs, but this week’s escalation risk may have erased that optimism. Joel Berner, a senior economist at Realtor.com, said high mortgage rates are preventing buyers from seeing improved sales conditions in 2026, and that the current situation in Iran could keep rates high for an extended period.