Canberra:<Text>

Australia's government has urged motorists planning long-distance travel over the weekend to refuel at city service stations as fuel shortages worsen across parts of the country following supply disruptions linked to US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated that hundreds of petrol stations across Australia had run out of fuel, with rural areas particularly affected. Bowen emphasized that diesel supplies in the coming weeks would need to be prioritized for farmers preparing to sow crops. He urged Australians planning road trips to help ease pressure on regional supply by filling up in metropolitan areas before departing.

Bowen also mentioned that more than 50 fuel tankers were en route to Australia to help secure supply for April and May, but he warned that shortages could persist into June. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a government initiative to halve the fu el excise on petrol and diesel for three months, aiming to keep prices lower until June 30.

However, businesses have expressed concerns about the adequacy of fuel supplies. Matt Barrie, executive chairman of Loadshift, one of Australia's largest online freight marketplaces, highlighted the issue, stating, "Australia burns through roughly 4.5 billion liters a month, so we're not even covering a full month's consumption. And what happens next month?" he asked, according to ABC News.

Australian media reported that panic buying by consumers has exacerbated the fuel shortage in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel. The fuel market strain originated from disrupted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, following the conflict due to US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions. This strategic waterway connects major Gulf producers to global markets and normally carries about a quarter of global oil trade and roughly one-fifth of LNG trade.</P> ;