Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has denied rumors that gasoline rationing would start from today (May 2).
“What is being floated around regarding gasoline rationing is a lie,” he said Wednesday on the sidelines of the 24th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition underway in Tehran.
The minister did not elaborate on the highly sensitive issue of gasoline prices nor did he say when the rationing would commence, ISNA reported.
Despite the minister’s denial long queues of cars were seen at gas stations in many parts of the country on Wednesday as motorists rushed to fill up their tanks before midnight.
Reports went viral on the social media and some local news outlets earlier in the day saying that gasoline rationing, which had ended in 2015, would resume from May 2.
The news and views said that every car owner would be eligible for 60 liters per month at of 10,000 rials (7 cents) a liter and extra fuel (free market) would be sold for 25,000 rials (18 cents) per liter without restrictions.
At noon, a spokeswoman for the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said rationing would not start on Thursday.
“People should not pay heed to rumors, especially in cyberspace,” Ziba Esmaeili said.
In the past few months, there have been speculations about higher fuel prices plus fixed quotas. However, the Oil Ministry, NIORDC and MPs have often denied the rumors, calling the numbers, news and reports “untrue and guesstimates."
Priorities
The 24th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition was inaugurated by Zanganeh who outlined priorities of his ministry in the current year (started in March).
Continuing oil exports (despite US sanctions), increasing gas production from South Pars Gas Field, raising petrochemical output and collaboration with knowledge-based companies are the priority, he said.
The annual event is held to help promote the oil and gas industry in Iran and displays technological development in the key sector.
Foreign companies from 21 countries including Spain, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, China, Russia, Azerbaijan and the Netherlands are attending the 4-day event.
