Iran Faces Severe Fuel Shortages Amid U.S. Sanctions

Iran is experiencing a severe fuel crisis characterized by long queues at petrol stations in Tehran and a daily gasoline deficit of 14 to 15 million liters. The shortage is driven by record demand and compounded by U.S. sanctions, a port blockade restricting imports, and strikes on energy facilities by Israel and the United States.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, has urged citizens to utilize public transport and warned that the government may be forced to implement fuel rationing. To manage the deficit, officials are considering distributing fixed daily amounts of fuel, implementing individual quotas, or raising prices. However, a pilot program for fuel quotas in Kerman failed and triggered public alarm over potential price increases.

Iranian officials express concern that raising fuel prices could spark deadly protests similar to those in 2019, as the country already struggles with rampant inflation and a currency crisis. Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf claimed that the U.S. and Israel intend to exploit these price rises. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the current economic pressure on Iran as the "single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary."