The European Commission has called on people to work from home, drive and fly less, and for EU countries to accelerate renewable energy projects, warning of a prolonged energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Gulf.

Axar.az reports, citing Politico, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said Europe faces a "very serious situation" with no clear end in sight.

"Even if peace is here tomorrow, still we will not go back to normal in the foreseeable future," he said after an extraordinary meeting of EU energy ministers on Tuesday.

Jorgensen advised member states to follow the International Energy Agency’s guidance: "Work from home where possible, reduce highway speed limits, encourage public transport, alternate private car access, increase car sharing, and adopt efficient driving practices."

He also called for urgent investment in renewables, saying this is “the time we finally turn the tide and truly become energy independent.”

The remarks come as oil and gas prices have surged by as much as 70 percent since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, putting a fifth of the world’s crude oil and LNG supply at risk.