Long lines kilometers long at fuel stations in Mashhad;

Islamic Republic officials have denied any nationwide shortage of fuel and said that the recent crowding and long lines at stations are due to “a mismatch between production and consumption, temporary logistical disruptions because of wartime conditions, and a sudden surge in demand coinciding with late-summer travel.”

This comes as, according to statements by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the rate of the third ration (free-market gasoline at stations) is set to increase from 5,000 tomans to 10,000 tomans.