Long Lines for Gasoline in Cities; MP: We Will Use Strategic Reserves

As long lines for gasoline continue in various parts of Iran, the spokesperson for the Energy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has stated that the queues will persist until the end of summer. Mostafa Nakhai confirmed the 'imbalance in gasoline supply' and added, 'Our production is less than our consumption. In fact, we are using the country's strategic reserves, which cannot continue for long.' He further noted that the current gap between consumption and production is 'not significant,' but mentioned that for next year, it will depend on what the government predicts in the budget. These remarks come at a time when several other officials of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly denied any gasoline shortages. Recently, long and sometimes kilometer-long lines for gasoline in various cities of Iran have sparked criticism from citizens following new restrictions on the use of fuel cards. The news network affiliated with the Islamic Republic's radio and television confirmed that 'fuel delivery to some stations has been delayed,' attributing this to 'increased gasoline consumption' and 'summer travel.' Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited the malfunction of fuel dispensers as the cause of recent problems, reporting that 2,900 out of 58,000 fuel dispensers in Iran are out of service. Some officials have also linked the long gasoline lines to 'rumors of price increases and shortages.' In this context, the Minister of Oil stated that the government has no plans to increase gasoline prices and urged citizens not to listen to 'rumors.' Javad Owji claimed that the number of fuel cards at stations has only been reduced so that people use their personal cards. He also asserted that gasoline reserves in Iran have increased by 150 million liters compared to four months ago. In June of this year, Jalil Salari, CEO of the National Oil Refining and Distribution Company, stated that daily gasoline consumption is 110 million liters and that 'consumption and production have reached equilibrium.' Part of the problems accessing gasoline is due to the government's fuel restriction plan, which states that vehicles cannot use more gasoline than the allotted amount. The newspaper Etemad reported that amid numerous denials by government officials regarding gasoline prices, it seems the government has chosen a middle-ground solution to the problem of rising fuel consumption by implementing some restrictions on vehicle refueling. In the meantime, Reza Nawaz, spokesperson for the fuel station owners' union, reported on August 19 that 'calm and normal fuel distribution' has been established in most major cities of Iran. He attributed the long gasoline lines in 'some busy stations' to 'increased consumption and some restrictions created based on legal requirements.' Reports published on social media indicate that long gasoline lines continue in various parts of Iran. Minister of Interior: It Wasn't a Significant Event; MP: We Should Expect Hard Days Despite repeated reports of gasoline lines and citizens' complaints in various parts of Iran, the Minister of Interior did not consider this a 'significant event' and stated, 'With the measures taken, the queues in several locations have been resolved, and this problem has also been solved.' Ahmad Vahidi added that despite the very high gasoline consumption, the Ministry of Oil has 'adequately' met the needs. Meanwhile, Hamidreza Salehi, head of the Energy Commission of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, stated that there is a possibility of a gasoline price increase and that we should be prepared for 'hard days.' Jalal Rashidi Koochi, a member of parliament, also commented on the government's hesitation regarding raising gasoline prices, saying, 'If we touch the gasoline price, all aspects of people's lives will be disrupted, and people will take to the streets to protest.' The issue of increasing gasoline prices has been raised since last year and has led to many controversies. Given the experience of the protests in 2019 that followed a sudden increase in fuel prices, Iranian officials quickly deny any discussions about raising fuel prices whenever the topic arises. 'Surprise Visit' by the Deputy with IRIB Reporter at the Gas Station! Was It Crowded? The government is at a crossroads of 'price increase' or 'consumption management'; MP: People Will Take to the Streets Reports from citizens about the 'chaotic situation' at gas stations; Minister of Oil: Consumption is High Warning from Mirsalim to the Raisi government: You Dare Not Announce Gasoline Price Increases A member of the Iran Chamber of Commerce confirmed the possibility of a gasoline price increase: Be Prepared for Hard Days.