- Iran says insufficient domestic petrol production has been compounded by a US naval blockade.
- Long queues have reportedly formed at petrol stations as fuel supply pressure mounts.
- Iranian authorities are considering a review of petrol quotas and subsidies.
Iran says it has been unable to import enough petrol to address shortages in domestic supply, blaming a US naval blockade as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to escalate.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Iranian Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said the country’s petrol production was insufficient to meet demand and that restrictions at sea had made it difficult to bring in additional supplies.
EDITOR’S PICK
- How Lagos Achieved 57.4% Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate
- Shaibu Lists Nigeria’s Biggest Security Challenges
- Vote, Protect Your Mandate, Governor Adeleke Urges Residents Ahead of August 15 Polls.
According to the state-run IRNA news agency, Ghaempanah said on Wednesday that Iran could not import enough petrol because of the US naval blockade.
“Petrol production is insufficient, and because of the US naval blockade, we cannot import it,” he was quoted as saying.
The development comes as motorists in several parts of Iran have reportedly faced long queues at filling stations in recent days, with the conflict increasingly placing pressure on the country’s economy and energy supply.
Iran’s government has also signalled possible changes to the country’s fuel distribution system.
On Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s chief of staff, Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei, said petrol quotas would be reviewed, although he did not provide further details on what the changes could involve.
The United States and Iran have been locked in a war since February 28, with the conflict expanding beyond military confrontations and affecting strategic trade routes and economic activities.
Tehran has since taken control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways for global oil shipments, while Washington has imposed a naval counter-blockade targeting Iranian ports.
Ghaempanah also criticised Iran’s existing system of heavily subsidised petrol, arguing that it does not benefit all citizens equally.
He said people who own several vehicles receive greater benefits from fuel subsidies than those without cars.
“The distribution of petrol in the country is inequitable. Owners of several vehicles benefit from subsidies, unlike those who do not own one,” he said.
Iran is one of the world’s major oil-producing countries and has historically maintained some of the lowest petrol prices globally through extensive government subsidies.
However, attempts to reform fuel prices or reduce subsidies have previously proved politically sensitive, with concerns that higher costs could trigger public discontent.
The latest petrol shortage adds another layer of economic pressure on Tehran as its conflict with Washington continues, raising concerns about the impact of prolonged hostilities on Iran’s population and energy sector.
FURTHER READING
