Iran Fuel Crisis Deepens as US Blockade and War Damage Trigger Widespread Gasoline Shortages

In the shadow of a US-Iran conflict that erupted in late February 2026, Iranian citizens are facing acute gasoline shortages, with long queues snaking around petrol stations in Tehran and other cities even in the middle of the night. Multiple independent reports confirm a daily shortfall of approximately 14-15 million liters against consumption of around 135 million liters, driven by a US naval blockade reimposed in July that has halted refined fuel imports and strikes that damaged domestic refining capacity.[1][2]

Iranian officials, including Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have publicly acknowledged the crisis, citing the blockade's cutoff of imports and reduced domestic production. Strategic reserves have been drawn down sharply, reaching "red alert" levels with only days to weeks of supply remaining under current conditions. Rationing measures, such as 20-liter limits per vehicle, have been introduced amid panic buying and station closures.[3][4]

The human cost is stark: ordinary Iranians report waiting hours or overnight for fuel, with inflation already at extreme levels compounding the strain on households. The blockade and infrastructure damage have exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in Iran's refining sector despite its vast crude oil reserves. Officials warn of potential further price adjustments to subsidies, a politically explosive move that previously sparked protests.[5][6]

Broader context includes suppressed maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to dual blockades, though some periods saw temporary rebounds. Iran's calls for diplomatic returns to prior agreements underscore the regime's shifting posture under sustained economic pressure. The crisis illustrates how sanctions and conflict ripple directly to fuel access and daily life for millions.