Fuel rationing fears grow for UK as EU weighs up options amid Middle East crisis

Fuel rationing fears grow for UK as EU weighs up options amid Middle East crisisA top Brussels official has said the EU is considering "all possibilities" if Middle East crisis drags on - amid concerns about the long lasting impact of the warCommentsMoneyGraham Hiscott Business and Consumer Editor and Elizabeta Ranxburgaj17:06, 03 Apr 2026Updated 17:08, 03 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesAn EU commissioner says fuel rationing could be considered if the Iran war drags on(Image: Getty Images)Fears have grown that UK households and businesses could be impacted after an EU official said it was considering “all possibilities” - including fuel rationing - with no end to the Middle East crisis.‌Dan Jorgensen, the bloc’s energy commissioner, said: “This will be a long crisis...energy prices will be higher for a very long time.” He added that “we expect it to be even worse in the weeks to come”.‌The US and Israel’s war with Iran has sent wholesale oil and gas prices soaring as Tehran’s effective blockade of the key Strait of Hormuz - and strikes on Gulf neighbours - sent shockwaves around the world.‌Supplies of oil and gas to the EU, and the UK, have largely been unaffected as most imports come from countries beyond the Middle East.Of more concern is the supply of refined petroleum products, such as jet fuel and diesel. The impact on countries that do rely heavily on energy supplies from the region - including India and China - has added to concerns and left governments having to draw up plans that could be used in an emergency.View 4 ImagesUK government and industry chiefs insists there are no risks of fuel forecourts shortages for now(Image: AFP via Getty Images)‌Jorgensen said, while the EU was “not in a security of supply crisis, yet”, it was putting together plans to tackle “structural, long term effects” of the conflict.He told the FT: “We are looking at all possibilities”, and went on to say the EU was “preparing for the worst scenarios”, including rationing jet fuel a...