Tehran Gas Stations Run Dry As Iran Faces Growing Fuel Shortage

Tehran Gas Stations Run Dry As Iran Faces Growing Fuel Shortage

Tehran, Iran — Several petrol stations in parts of Tehran reportedly ran out of gasoline on Wednesday, August 19, with some stations closing completely while motorists at others faced queues

of up to an hour.

According to Iran International, residents reported visiting multiple petrol stations only to find them closed or displaying notices that gasoline was unavailable. Others said they had to wait for extended periods to refuel.

The shortages come amid growing concerns that the Iranian government could increase gasoline prices as the country struggles with a widening fuel supply deficit.

Iran's Energy Efficiency Organization has estimated that the country is currently facing a gasoline shortage of around 14–15 million litres per day.

A member of Iran's parliament Economic Committee, Hossein Samsami, warned that raising fuel prices under the country's current economic conditions could trigger widespread unrest.

Meanwhile, there are reports that traffic police in Tehran have been targeting older vehicles and motorcycles in an effort to reduce fuel consumption. A resident claimed some older vehicles were being impounded for up to a month, although the report could not independently verify the claim.

Iran's fuel shortage has also been worsened by disruptions to fuel imports amid the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian maritime traffic.

In response, Iran is reportedly exploring the use of methanol-blended gasoline to increase domestic fuel supplies. Vahid Ghanei-Fard, CEO of Persian Gulf Star Refinery, said a pilot project using gasoline containing about three percent methanol had been successful and met national and international standards.

He said the refinery's daily gasoline production had reached approximately 49 million litres.

However, Iranian refinery expert Saadatollah Molavi cautioned that methanol-based gasoline would only provide a temporary solution unless the country addresses concerns surrounding production costs, efficiency, gas consumption and infrastructure.

There are also concerns over the quality and safety of the fuel, particularly its potential impact on vehicles and public health.

The latest developments come as Iran continues to grapple with a serious energy and economic crisis, with shortages, rising demand and disrupted imports putting additional pressure on the country's already strained fuel system.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202608196868