Hope Shakiri, senior researcher at George Mason University and an energy expert, said that high consumption of low-quality cars, the aging of the transportation fleet, sanctions, and organized smuggling of fuel are the main factors behind the shortage of gasoline in provinces such as Hormozgan.

He, referring to reports about eight billion dollars in revenue from gasoline smuggling for government bodies, added that the continued imbalance in the energy industry and weak distribution infrastructure have contributed to fuel shortages and citizens’ protests in various provinces.