Iran faces worsening fuel shortages amid war damage and US sanctions

Long queues at fuel stations have become a common sight across Iran, as war damage to infrastructure, limited imports, and recent U.S. sanctions tighten the country's fuel supply. The disruptions began after the 2024 escalation in the eastern provinces, which damaged key pipelines and storage facilities, and have been compounded by a decline in foreign oil shipments due to export restrictions.

The Iranian government has responded by reallocating fuel from strategic reserves and increasing domestic production, but shortages persist. Fuel stations in major cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz report wait times that can exceed an hour, while rural areas face even longer delays. Analysts note that the combination of damaged infrastructure and reduced import capacity has pushed the national fuel deficit to its highest level in a decade.

As the government seeks to stabilize the market, authorities have urged motorists to use alternative transportation where possible and have announced plans to expand fuel distribution networks. The situation remains fluid, and further supply constraints could intensify if the current sanctions regime continues to limit Iran’s access to international oil markets.