Iran has continued to import diesel fuel in the past several months despite earlier announcement on self-sufficiency in diesel production, deputy for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said, ISNA reported Saturday.
Mohsen Ghamsari said, "The volume of diesel imports in the past two months has been insignificant, but was undertaken due to increased demand during the cold season."
In summer, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) announced that Iran is no longer in need of diesel imports due to increased supply of gas and liquid fuels to power plants, and that surplus diesel would be exported.
Ghamsari stressed that "it is temporary and will not continue for long."
The official said 500,000 tons mazut and 100,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were exported in the March-November period, and the export of other petroleum products was limited.
The National Petrochemical Company (NPC) wants to reduce mazut production and increase the quality of petrochemicals in line with the 'economy of resistance,' a measure proposed by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei to help counter the sanctions, promote domestic growth and reduce consumption.
Mazut production is expected to be brought down to less than 10 percent in all refineries by 2025.
Additionally, gasoline exports saw a 72 percent decrease in the past eight months compared to the same period last year.
