Long queues form at Tehran petrol stations as fuel shortage deepens

TEHRAN, Iran — Long lines formed at petrol stations across Tehran as a fuel crisis deepened nationwide, with Iran's Energy Consumption Improvement Organization reporting a daily gasoline shortfall of roughly 15 million liters against demand of 135 million liters. The Financial Times reported that a U.S. naval blockade in effect since July 14 has sharply reduced Iran's fuel import capacity, while U.S. and Israeli strikes have damaged part of the country's refinery capacity. A station attendant in Tehran said drivers rushed to fill their tanks over fears that war could resume or prices could rise, with fuel limited to about 20 liters per vehicle. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has framed its new campaign against Tehran as an "economic war." Iran's government has said its subsidy system for cheap gasoline is no longer sustainable amid high inflation and supply problems, and that strategic reserves have been drawn down in recent months to meet demand. The Iranian rial has fallen to around 2 million against the dollar, with annual inflation approaching 90% and food inflation nearing 130%.