Updated · National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) · Aug 13
Iran Scraps 87,200-Toman Fuel Trial Within Hours as 14-Million-Liter Daily Shortfall Fuels Protests
Updated
Updated · National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) · Aug 13
Iran Scraps 87,200-Toman Fuel Trial Within Hours as 14-Million-Liter Daily Shortfall Fuels Protests
3 articles · Updated · National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) · Aug 13
Summary
Iran canceled a trial gasoline scheme in Kerman within hours on Aug. 13 after pricing fuel at 87,200 tomans a liter triggered immediate public backlash.
A 14 million-liter daily gap is driving the crisis: national consumption has reached 129 million liters versus 115 million liters of domestic output, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said a U.S. naval blockade has choked off fuel imports.
15-liter pump caps and reduced quotas have left motorists stranded, and kilometer-long lines still clogged Bushehr and Hormozgan despite prosecutors lifting some local limits and doubling free-card allowances.
Lawmakers have warned against any new fuel-price shock, saying public tolerance is exhausted as Iran's misery index topped 100% in 19 provinces and averaged 96% nationwide in July.
Protests by retirees and other citizens in Tehran, Isfahan and Ahvaz are widening from economic grievances into direct rejection of the government, underscoring Tehran's shrinking room to manage the crisis.
Could crippling gasoline shortages and rampant smuggling inadvertently force a complete overhaul of Iran's decaying, heavily sanctioned energy infrastructure?
With state oil accounts blocked and a massive daily deficit, can Iran's regime survive this economic crisis without triggering deadly nationwide riots?