Tehran experiences record gasoline demand amid shortage fears

Panic buying and rumors of fuel shortages have caused record-breaking gasoline demand in Tehran, leading to massive queues that have stretched over one kilometer and lasted late into the night. Some gas stations were forced to temporarily suspend operations after running out of fuel, according to Fereydun Jasemi, a regional leader for the National Iranian Oil Company.

President Massoud Pezeshkian acknowledged during a cabinet meeting that the country is facing difficulties resulting from military actions by the United States and Israel that began in late February. While the President admitted to these challenges and urged both the government fleet and the general public to practice fuel conservation, he denied that there are actual supply failures.

Earlier in the year, during heavy strikes in March and April, Iranian energy infrastructure, including parts of the oil and gas industry and fuel depots, sustained damage. Although the government claims much of the damaged infrastructure has been repaired, social media rumors regarding shortages have driven the current surge in demand. Presidential spokesperson Abbas Pasuki stated on X that the government is prepared for all scenarios and that there will be no ‘sudden shock’ to the system.