EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen told the Financial Times the bloc faces a “long‑lasting” shock from the Middle East war, warning that energy prices will stay elevated for an extended period. He said critical products such as jet fuel and diesel could see even sharper spikes in the weeks ahead.

The turmoil stems from the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz and recent strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure, which have sent crude and refined product prices soaring. Airlines have voiced acute concerns over jet‑fuel availability, while the EU maintains that it is not yet in a security‑of‑supply crisis.

Brussels is drafting contingency plans that include voluntary fuel rationing and a possible second drawdown of strategic reserves. Last month saw the largest release of strategic oil reserves in history, a move meant to blunt price spikes. Officials stress any further release would be timed and proportionate, without altering existing jet‑fuel standards.

Persistently high fuel costs will pressure airlines, freight operators and downstream refiners, squeezing margins across the energy chain. The commission reiterated that EU legislation ending Russian LNG imports will stay in place, relying instead on U.S. and allied supplies operating in the free market. Decision‑makers now have a toolbox ready for escalation.