"Drivers queued at petrol stations across Palermo on Saturday as fuel prices jumped amid rising tensions in the Middle East, adding to fears of a wider energy shock. Footage shows long lines of vehicles waiting to fill up, with station staff struggling to manage the steady stream of cars as motorists rushed to beat further price rises. Local drivers described the situation as becoming increasingly difficult. "We're queuing up to get fuel, hoping that the government will intervene to reduce the costs, which are becoming truly staggering," a resident said. Another motorist criticised the fuel sellers for using the conflict as cover for steep increases, saying people had little choice but to pay up. "Using the excuse of war, they're raising prices, and like a flock of sheep, we rush to fill up, because we still have to go to work," he said. "At this station, perhaps the one with the lowest price, it's €1.98 a litre. At other stations, prices are over two euros - €2.10, even €2.30. Prices are skyrocketing." Another driver blamed the US President Donald Trump for the growing crisis, saying he appeared determined to fuel global conflict rather than calm it. "I have my opinion: there's that long-haired guy on the other side of the world - you know who I mean - who seems to be doing everything he can to start wars. But here we must insist on peace," the driver stated. Global oil prices have surged since the conflict involving Iran escalated about a week ago, rising from around $70 to more than $100 per barrel. Long queues at petrol stations have also been reported in several other cities, including in parts of Europe, amid fears of supply disruptions tied to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.  The United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Tehran later announced retaliatory strikes against Israel and US assets across the region, with explosions reported in several Gulf countries.  Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was later confirmed killed in a strike on Saturday. The escalation followed several rounds of nuclear talks between Iranian and American officials."