The U.S.-Israeliwar on Iranhas set off one of the worst global oil shocks in decades, driving upfuel pricesand hammering consumers worldwide.
To relieve the financial strain, some countries have slashed taxes or announced school holidays, while others have urged residents to travel by bike or train.
The conflict has prompted Iran's effective closure of theStrait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route leading out of the Persian Gulf that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global supply of oil and natural gas.
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The vast majority of fuel delivered through the strait is bound for Asia, placing the heaviest pressure on energy supply in that continent. Since oil and gas are sold on a global market, however, the shortage has sent prices rising for just about everyone.
Here's what countries are doing in response to rising gas prices:
Australia enacted a raft of measures in recent days aimed at easing fuel costs and alleviating economic damage.
The country slashed its excise tax by half for the next three months, saving drivers 26 cents on every liter of gasoline over that period, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a video posted onXon Wednesday.
Lawmakers also temporarily removed a surcharge for the usage of heavy trucks, helping delivery drivers weather added fuel expenses, Albanese said.
Australians, he said, should forgo stockpiling gasoline and commute by train or bus whenever possible.
"The reality is the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months," Albanese said. "No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing. I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it."
European Union
The European Commission, the main executive body at the European Union, on Tuesday urged its 27 member countries to avoid taking steps that would increase oil usage.
Even more, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen issued a letter to member countries' energy ministers calling on them to "consider the promotion of demand saving measures, with particular attention to the transport sector."
"The European Union's security of supply remains guaranteed. But we must be ready for a potentially prolonged disruption of international energy trade," Jørgensen said.
Last week, Slovenia announced temporary caps on the amount of gasoline that drivers can purchase. The move made the country the first member of the European Union to limit gas consumption.
Gas will be restricted to 50 liters per day for individuals and 200 liters per day for some commercial and government vehicles, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob announced on March 22, according toReuters.
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South Korea
South Korea earlier this month launched a nationwide energy-saving campaign, calling on people to ride bicycles for short trips and reduce the length of showers. The country also instituted a five-day, staggered system for the use of government-owned vehicles.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok last week said the government should plan for the "worst-case scenarios," according toYonhap News Agency.
Imports make up more than 98% of South Korea's total crude oil supply, according to theInternational Energy Agency.
Philippines
The Philippines hasdeclareda national energy emergency in response to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in part that the ongoing war threatened "the availability and stability of the country's energy supply."
The emergency declaration allows the Philippine government to exert control over fuel prices and fast-track imports from alternative suppliers, such as Russia. Philippine authorities said last week they have enough fuel to last about 45 days at typical consumption levels.
Last month, Pakistan unveiled a series of measures intended to conserve fuel as the nation grapples with a potentially severe shortage.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said half of government employees would begin to work from home and schools would take a two-week break,Al Jazeerareported.
Federal cabinet members will reportedly work without pay for two months and workers at state-owned firms will take pay cuts as high as 30% as the government seeks to slash expenses.
"The entire region is currently in a state of war," Sharif said in a televised address on March 10.
United States
Earlier this month, the Trump administrationannouncedthe second largest-ever release from the nation's stockpile of emergency crude. The U.S. will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve over the next 120 days, the White House said.
U.S. President Donald Trump also eased sanctions on Russian oil and suspended a key regulation of domestic oil transport.
The president has sought to restore tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the U.S. may operate a Naval escort or secure the strait with troops. At times, however, Trump has said the task of reopening the strait should fall to other countries.
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International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency issued a set of 10 oil-conservation measures available to governments, businesses and individuals in its 32 member nations, which include the U.S.
Employees could work remotely and commuters could carpool whenever possible, the IEAsaidon March 20. The directive also urged governments to reduce highway speed limits and recommend use of public transportation.
The recommendations came days after the IEAannouncedthat its member countries would release 400 barrels of crude from their respective petroleum reserves, marking the largest-ever emergency release of oil in the group's 52-year history.