Iraq's Diesel Shortage Worsens Amid Summer Demand Spike

Iraq is facing a severe diesel shortage due to high summer demand. The Oil Ministry's spokesperson, Salim Al-Kinani, told Shafaq News that power generation plants are burning more diesel as imports of natural gas decline. Additionally, the government has doubled allocations for neighborhood generators and vehicle demand has increased ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage. To address the shortage, refineries are running at maximum capacity and efforts are being made to increase diesel output. The Council of Ministers recently approved additional imports to cover the deficit.

The diesel shortage has led to long queues at fuel stations and generator owners have complained about deteriorating fuel quality causing repeated technical faults.