Govt. Weighs Plans to Curb Iran's Gasoline Imports

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the government is considering several plans to address the gap between gasoline production and consumption, but no decision has been finalized. Speaking to IRIB on Sunday, Paknejad said part of the gasoline supply shortfall is currently being covered through imports.

“The government’s goal is to reduce gasoline imports to the minimum possible level,” he said. Paknejad said part of the country’s resources are being spent on gasoline imports and that, given economic constraints, continuing the current trend is not sustainable.

He said several proposals have been put forward to manage the imbalance between gasoline production and consumption and are being reviewed by experts. “The decision-making process is continuing until these proposals reach the decision stage,” Paknejad said, adding that if a plan is finalized, the public will be informed of its details before any implementation begins.

Addressing reports about possible new gasoline prices, Paknejad said some of the figures circulating in the media are merely speculation and should not be considered official until a final decision is made. - Shana