Iran Unveils Optional Premium Gasoline Import Plan to Bolster Energy Sector
Tehran – In a significant move to enhance the nation’s energy infrastructure and offer consumer choice, Iran’s Oil Minister has announced a new framework allowing the private sector to import and distribute premium-grade gasoline.
A New Service for Consumers
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad detailed the new initiative. Based on existing legal capacities and a cabinet resolution, the private sector is now authorized to import so-called “special gasoline” without government interference.
Minister Paknejad emphasized that this represents a new service for citizens who wish to use this higher-grade fuel. The price of this imported premium gasoline will be determined by its full cost and offered to consumers by private companies.
Existing Subsidies and Rations Remain Unchanged
A key point of the announcement was the assurance that this new system will have no impact on the current gasoline rationing scheme or subsidized pricing. The existing quotas of 60 liters at 1,500 tomans and 100 liters at 3,000 tomans per liter, along with emergency station cards, will remain fully in place and unchanged for all citizens. The price of the previously available domestic super gasoline at stations will also remain fixed.
Market-Based Pricing for Premium Fuel
The imported premium gasoline will be available at specific stations on a free-sale basis. Its price will be set by the private sector based on the complete cost of procurement, including purchase, transportation, and other expenses, plus a profit margin. Minister Paknejad indicated that this could see prices exceed 50,000 tomans per liter, reflecting its market value.
This plan is framed as an entirely optional service. Consumers can choose to use it based on their needs, while the current subsidized rations continue to be allocated to the general public.
Addressing Energy Imbalance and Promoting Efficiency
The policy is seen as part of a broader, careful strategy to address the country’s energy imbalance (ناترازی انرژی) without immediately resorting to broad price hikes. The government has reportedly been conducting expert studies to approach the issue with consideration for its impact on citizens’ livelihoods.
Recent statements from government officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff, have highlighted a parallel focus on ensuring the equitable distribution of subsidies. This includes exploring measures to prevent luxury vehicles from utilizing subsidized fuel quotas, thereby directing support to those who need it most. The government is pursuing these complex decisions with the aim of managing resources in a way that is proportionate to individual and sector-specific conditions, while also building national consensus.
The move comes as domestic fuel consumption continues to rise. Recent statistics indicate that the average daily gasoline consumption has surpassed 133 million liters, with projections suggesting this figure could climb significantly in the coming years if current trends continue. This new import mechanism is a strategic step to manage future demand and reduce the potential foreign exchange burden of fuel imports.
