The war on Iran led to petrol shortages in early 2026. Some people panicked and stockpiled fuel, further driving up prices and depleting resources from regional areas and vital sectors. Ongoing political instability may lead to similar issues. Individual deviance does not explain panic buying. Instead, structural issues and biases play a bigger role. Social science studies stopped people panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a theory of planned behaviour, social norms, and morality messages. Similar communications may stop petrol hoarding, and other panic buying in future.