Iran says US naval blockade is limiting petrol imports

Iran has reported that the US naval blockade is impeding its ability to import sufficient petrol to compensate for a domestic production shortfall. This issue was highlighted by Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, who stated that petrol production is not meeting demand, and the US naval blockade is preventing necessary imports.

These comments were made as long lines formed at petrol stations throughout Iran amid growing economic pressure from the ongoing conflict with the United States. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's chief of staff, Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei, mentioned that the country's petrol quotas would be reviewed without providing additional details.

The conflict escalated on February 28 when Tehran took control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and Washington responded by imposing a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports. Ghaempanah also criticized Iran's heavily subsidized fuel distribution system, noting that it predominantly benefits individuals who own multiple vehicles, as opposed to those without any vehicle.

Iran is a major global oil producer with some of the lowest petrol prices worldwide, but years of fuel subsidies have made any price adjustments politically delicate.