By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Iran is struggling to import enough petrol to make up for a shortfall in domestic production amid a US naval blockade.
Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah disclosed this on Wednesday, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
Ghaempanah said domestic petrol production is insufficient, while the blockade has made imports difficult.
The development comes as long queues form at petrol stations across Iran, with the ongoing conflict with the United States putting further pressure on the economy.
Iranian President’s Chief of Staff, Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei, earlier said petrol quotas would be reviewed but gave no details.
The conflict between Iran and the United States began on February 28. Tehran has since taken control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while Washington has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
Ghaempanah also criticised Iran’s heavily subsidised fuel system, saying it disproportionately benefits people who own several vehicles.
He said the government needs to address the unequal distribution of petrol subsidies as fuel shortages worsen.
Iran is a major oil producer and has some of the world’s cheapest petrol because of decades of government subsidies.
However, any move to increase fuel prices could prove politically sensitive as economic pressure on the country intensifies.
