The Gasoline Crisis Will Continue; $3 Billion in Gasoline Imports Predicted

The gasoline supply crisis will persist into next year, and experts believe that if the average gasoline deficit remains around 15 million liters, Iran will need to import $3 billion worth of gasoline. The news agency 'ILNA' has also reported that gasoline production in the country is 115 million liters, and it is expected that there will be an average daily shortfall of 15 million liters, necessitating at least $3 billion in gasoline imports. Controlling gasoline consumption is one of the concerns of President Ebrahim Raisi's government, and many analysts and activists in this field believe that the government will ultimately reduce quotas and increase gasoline prices. This point has been emphasized by the statements of the spokesperson for the Joint Commission of the 'Seventh Development Plan' bill. Mohsen Zangeneh explained the gasoline situation for next year, stating that 'the government has the authority to determine whether to provide subsidies to individuals or to itself.' Zangeneh continued, 'The amount of subsidized gasoline is also at the government's discretion, but in any case, the price of gasoline must remain stable.' The head of the Planning and Budget Organization has also stated that no decision has been made regarding increasing gasoline prices and that 'we are looking to save fuel consumption. The government's gasoline policy is non-price based.' Accordingly, it is predicted that the government will seek to distribute gasoline subsidies to all people, including those who do not own cars. The website 'Khabar Online' has reported that in order to 'develop economic justice' and improve income distribution, the following measures will be authorized by the government, pending final approval by the end of the first year of the Seventh Development Plan, to ensure equal access for Iranians residing in the country to energy carrier subsidies. The gasoline crisis peaked this summer, leading to long lines at gas stations across various cities in Iran following the imposition of new restrictions on the use of fuel cards, which drew criticism from citizens. Reports indicated that on Tuesday, August 15, long lines formed at gas stations while it was claimed that 'most stations are out of gasoline.' In August, as the gasoline crisis escalated, the state news network confirmed that 'fuel delivery to some stations has been delayed,' attributing this issue to 'increased gasoline consumption' and 'summer travel.' The mismatch in gasoline production and consumption, along with Iran's limitations in securing fuel due to sanctions and Russia's refusal to export gasoline to Iran, led the Islamic Republic to endure a 'difficult summer' marked by a gasoline crisis.