Fuel Cards for Gas Stations Will Not Be Eliminated; Government Retreats Until 'Further Notice'

The operations manager of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company announced the suspension of the elimination of fuel cards for gas stations until 'further notice,' stating that the plan will be halted until the government makes a specific decision regarding consumption beyond the allocated card quotas. Ali Akbar Arab-Amiri told ILNA that for now, the quotas will not change and will be charged to the same amounts as before. He also described the buying and selling of fuel cards at astronomical prices of 20 million as part of 'fuel smuggling,' stating, 'In Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Kerman, where there are special conditions, coding is in place, meaning if someone purchases a card, they cannot use it in these provinces.' These remarks come as the Minister of Oil announced on April 15 that within 10 days, refueling would only be possible through personal fuel cards; a statement that experts interpreted as meaning the elimination of gas station fuel cards and a restriction on fuel supply. Additionally, Iranian news agencies reported that internet taxis will not have gasoline quotas in 1403. Ali Akbar Arab-Amiri stated in a radio interview that according to new regulations, 'this quota will not be allocated this year, and the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company is the executor and not the decision-maker in this regard.' He also mentioned new restrictions for truck drivers' oil and gas quotas, which will be allocated based on mileage, the number of waybills, and vehicle specifications, with quotas charged both offline and online, and recently calculated and allocated as a 15-day quota instead of a monthly one for fair distribution. Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior, stated on December 15 that 'one liter of gasoline is cheaper than one liter of water.' He emphasized that 'the low price of gasoline automatically increases gasoline consumption.' Regarding officials' and some parliament members' references to the need for economic surgery, several experts have stated that any manipulation of gasoline prices will lead to increased economic pressures and disrupt political and social relations in Iran. The increase in gasoline prices during Hassan Rouhani's presidency in November 98 led to widespread protests in Iran. In response to these widespread protests, the Islamic Republic resorted to suppressing the protesters. In this context, Reuters reported on December 23, 98, that around 1,500 people were killed in the protests, citing three sources close to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, who stated that Khamenei had instructed government and security officials to 'do whatever is necessary' to stop the protests. The gasoline quota for internet taxis has been cut; a new round of fuel supply restrictions has begun, with gasoline consumption reaching 120 million liters per day. The Minister of Oil announced the elimination of gas station fuel cards; new gasoline restrictions will be implemented within 10 days. A newspaper report indicated that the government's 'gasoline dream' for the people makes the elimination of government gasoline quotas 'inevitable.'