[REVISION HISTORY]

Iran gasoline shortage and fuel card transition

Updated 26 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-18 11:46 UTC → 2026-10-25 08:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The gasoline shortage in Iran has intensified, spreading across provinces including Tehran, Mazandaran, Gilan, Kerman, Hormozgan, and Fars. By late August 2026, several fuel stations reported closures due to supply deficits, forcing citizens to endure long queues. While Keramat Veiskarmi, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, dismissed rumors of shortages and stated that daily distribution increased from an August average of 138 million liters to 150 million liters, other officials describe a worsening crisis. In response to the shortage, authorities have implemented strict rationing in some regions, such as 10 liters per vehicle in Mazandaran. To manage consumption, the government is reducing subsidized fuel volumes; while the 1,500 Toman quota remains at 60 liters, the 3,000 Toman quota has been cut from 70 to 50 liters, and the 5,000 Toman quota from 30 to 15 liters. President Massoud Pezeshkian acknowledged difficulties resulting from military actions by the United States and Israel that began in late February. Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah has stated that domestic production is insufficient to meet demand and that a US naval blockade is preventing necessary fuel imports. The daily deficit of approximately 15 million liters is attributed to US sanctions, attacks on refining infrastructure, and the maritime blockade. To manage consumption and prevent smuggling, Iran is transitioning from station-based fuel cards to individual bank cards. In October 2026, a new emergency system was launched at selected Tehran stations, requiring drivers to use personal bank cards to generate a four-digit code. New regulations also specify that the 1,500-toman quota can be stored for up to three months, whereas the 3,000-toman quota cannot be carried over to subsequent months. By late October 2026, the government began phasing out anonymous emergency station cards to curb untraceable fueling.

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