"If this gets much worse, we'll just go on strike," one truck driver told CGTN at a petrol station on the edge of Madrid. 

Discontent is rising almost as fast as petrol and diesel prices, which have surged by close to 30% since the beginning of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

On Friday the Spanish government acted to try to cushion the economic effects, announcing a $5.8 billion "social shield" that aims to counter soaring energy costs and keep the economy rolling.

Speaking at the official prime ministerial residence Moncloa, Pedro Sanchez announced the aid package, whose most significant measures feature tax reductions on energy.

Sanchez – probably Europe's most outspoken critic of the US-Israeli attack – took the chance to say the "illegal war in Iran" had already caused the deaths of thousands of civilians and the displacement of four million people. 

The plan cuts VAT on petrol, diesel, electricity and gas from 21% to 10%, also lowering other  electricity taxes.

"Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary responses, and that is what this comprehensive plan for responding to the Middle East crisis contains, a plan that includes 80 measures," Sanchez said.

Additional subsidies and tax reductions are set to benefit critical sectors such as fishing, farming, and transport, further fuel and fertilizer subsidies for example, and a rent freeze could be included too.

Sanchez made it clear that these measures will remain in force for as long as necessary to support the Spanish people through this crisis, saying "we do not know whether the conflict will last days, months, or years. But its effects could turn into a serious crisis."

"I am very angry about the situation," he continued, pointing out that the near-$6bn cost could have been used for health or education.

Spain's renewables cushions energy crisis impact 

Sanchez emphasized that Spain is better positioned than many of its European counterparts, due to its harnessing of renewables like solar, wind and hydro for 60% of its energy generation. 

Taking such a large slice of its needs from renewables renders Spain less vulnerable to gas price hikes, which have only marked the price of electricity 15% of the time in Spain, compared to 40% in Germany and 90% in Italy.

However, Spain is a major importer of liquefied natural gas – and one of its main suppliers is Qatar, which has been hit by Iranian attacks. The Spanish government is now looking to increase natural gas imports from Algeria via a pipeline.

The global crisis has governments across Europe scrambling to address the issue.

Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition approved a temporary cut to Italy's excise taxes on fuel. Portugal and the UK have introduced caps on gas and electricity profits, while France is conducting inspections at petrol stations to prevent price gouging and in Greece, profit margins for food and fuel have been capped.

European leaders have resisted calls to intervene militarily in the Straits of Hormuz, echoing Sanchez's strong stance against the conflict. "This is not our war" is a phrase that has echoed across the continent.

On Friday Sanchez once again reiterated his strong opposition to the ongoing bombings by the US and Israel, saying "No to War" and adding: "No plan, however ambitious, will be able to offset all the miseries of this illegal war."