Fuel Shortages Worsen Iran's Economic Crisis

Iran's fuel crisis has worsened in recent days due to a combination of factors including war damage, difficulties importing refined products, and a tightening US blockade. The country already faces a gasoline deficit of around 15 million liters (4 million gallons) per day.

Drivers are reporting hours-long waits at filling stations across the country, with some arriving before midnight or sleeping in their cars to secure fuel for the next morning. Some filling stations have even closed before serving everyone in line.

The situation is particularly dire for truck drivers, who say lines at filling stations near major cities can stretch for kilometers, forcing them to wait overnight simply to obtain enough fuel to return to work.

Vahid Ghaneifard, chief executive of Persian Gulf Star Oil Company, has confirmed that the refinery has begun testing methanol as an oxygenate in its gasoline. However, the timing of this decision has fueled public suspicion, with some motorists claiming that gasoline quality has deteriorated and even alleging that water or excessive alcohol is being mixed into supplies.