Iran's Fuel Crisis Deepens as Gasoline Shortages Spread Beyond Tehran

Gasoline shortages intensified across Iran, with long queues and station closures reported in Tehran, Kerman, and Mashhad. An energy official said the market faces a daily deficit of 14-15 million liters against roughly 135 million liters of demand, blamed on record consumption, war damage to refining and distribution infrastructure, and shifting national budget priorities. Panic buying has pushed distribution about 30% above normal as drivers rush to fill tanks ahead of feared price hikes. Officials, including the vice president, described the situation as unsustainable, while the president's office signaled that subsidized fuel prices will hold but above-quota gasoline will get more expensive.