Iran to Ration Petrol in 2007

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- As a result of studies over the next Iranian year (beginning March 21, 2007) budget bill, the government has decided to ration petrol since next spring, an informed source said.

The source told FNA's economic desk that the government approval is aimed at optimizing fuel consumption in the country and preventing the wasteful and excessive use of the vital liquid.

The Iranian government had a similar plan to ration petrol use in the country during the current year, but a parliament approval allowed Ahmadinejad's administration to import $2.2 billion worth of petrol into the country.

The Iranian parliament then gave tentative approval for the spending of an extra $2 bln and 200 mln on petrol imports but warned fuel rationing might be necessary.

The MPs approved a draft proposal by the planning and budget commission to spend $2.2 bln until the end of the Iranian year in March 2007 on petrol imports, slashing back the $3.5 bln requested by government that would have obviated the need to ration fuel.

Iran is OPEC's number two producer of oil, but its refineries have a capacity of only 42 mln liters of petrol a day in a country where demand stands at more than 70 mln liters daily.

In February, parliament approved a 2.5 bln dollar budget for petrol imports which ran out by late September due to higher oil prices, rising consumption and the smuggling out of the country of millions of liters of petrol every month.

The head of parliament energy commission, Kamal Daneshyar, earlier said, "We have only three options to deal with petrol. One way is to ration it, the other way is to ... sell it at 3,000 Rial (33 US cents) per liter or at 5,000 Rials (almost half a dollar) per liter."

Some deputies voiced concern about the negative impact of spending money on fuel which is lavishly consumed in the Islamic republic, warning this could upset economic development.

Other lawmakers said rationing could lead to corruption.

"With approval of the bill, we ruin the country's self-sufficiency plans and harm national interests with regard to economic development," said Reza Talai Nik, MP from Bahar and Kaboudar Ahang.

A liter of regular petrol costs just 800 Rials (nine US cents, or 34 cents a gallon). Super costs 1,100 Rials (12 cents, or 45 cents a gallon).

Talai Nik said the bill was contrary to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's pledge to remove the gap between the rich and the poor.

"Why this huge subsidy should be paid for the rich in big cities who own a couple of cars for each family while we have people in villages who have no car to use the subsidized fuel," he said.

In his electoral campaign of June 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged to bring "oil money onto people tables" and "spread justice".

The head of Management and Planning Organization, Farhad Rahbar, supported the 3.5-bln fuel bill as proposed by government.

"If we cut the imports from the current consumption rate, we (would have to) ask people to reduce their consumption by 50% and use substitute transportation vehicles which are not ready today," he said.

"Hopefully, we may be ready for rationing in 2007," he said.

Source: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8510190463

I dont understand why the cannot simply raise the price of petrol and implement some kind of road tax system so every Tom, Dick and Harry doesnt buy a car!!! :bash:

It is so cheap to run a car in Iran it has almost turned into a one off cost of buying a car and thats it! Iranians (mostly Tehranis) are so wastefull, they do not all need a car and by many people pointlessly driving their cars has caused major conjestion issues... I am for Central Tehran having a conjestion charging system like in London.. rationing petrol wont help anything, they have to hit Iranians pockets for them to cut back!

The Iranian government had a similar plan to ration petrol use in the country during the current year, but a parliament approval allowed Ahmadinejad's administration to import $2.2 billion worth of petrol into the country

Yayy ?! :hammer: :crazy2:

^^ What is that supposed to mean, can you start explaining your non-sensical posts?

Iran has to import petrolium because during the Iran-Iraq war Saddam destroyed pretty much all of Iran's refineries therefore Iran does not have the capacity to refine enough oil for the nations needs... It imports petrolium from the UK and heavily subsidises its resale value.

Shugs, you have to look at this in the bigger picture. Iranians are using oil and gas out of control and that is hurting Iran's economy by not being able to export the quota to which they are entitled. There is great need for reform of some kind to slow that use. I don't think that rationing is the answer but rather increase in prices may be a better way to go. However, the gov't may not want to piss of the poor, which constitute a great number in Iran, perhaps a majority. This looks more "fair" in that everyone is rationed.

Either way, the real reason behind this move is clear. Iran is under sanctions. US is pushing and pushing hard to dry up Iran's oil exports. Frace pulled our of South Pars phase 17 and 18. Many other major banks have done the same in the oil and gas development. Iran is becoming desparate -- let's not kid anyone. Iran is in grave need of foreign investment in its old oil fields and the new, not yet fully developed, south pars. They cannot export the oil and gas unless the investments come in, which are not coming in.

So what do the Akhoonds do? What else but make the Iranians suffer yet mroe than they already do. Instead of negotiating and compromising so that investments can come in, they cut off the oil and gas to the Iranians so they can export their quota and fatten up their pockets. It's a shame. The whole scheme, the entire economic structure, the political negotatians, everything is a shame.

Not to go off topic, but certainly related to this, let me say this. These akhoonds think they can fight the west and the US. The US checkmated the Russians, which are the masters of many of these Akhoonds. By the actions that the US is taking by drying up investment, Iran will not be able to exports oil or gas much and its people will be even poorer and the economy will have failed even more. The Iranians economy is based on oil and gas and if there is no investment, there will be no revenue, and that means Iran will have no money and will be very poor. So sad when Iran has the second largest oil and gas reserves in the world. But this is a tragic truth.

I agree with you panj... As I said, rationing is definatly not the answer and I cannot see it solving anything. I mean there is a grander plan than all of this, possibly to sufficate Iran's economy until there is civil unrest? I mean it was extreme poverty that triggered the last revoloution.

Believe me, the poverty back then was NOTHING compared to what it is now and not even comparable to what it will be... Yet, Iran can give $500 million to Hibzullah.. How about fixing the economy first by stop giving away gifts that huge for no purpose when the people inside the country need the money themselves?

Well IMO that is the most worrying thing... Iranians are perfectly aware that all this is going on but they seem to not care... either they support them or they simply do not care and want to get on with their lives... everytime I go to Iran the people seem more pissed off at the akhoonds but at the same time they seem more lethargic about the whole situation.

^^ What is that supposed to mean, can you start explaining your non-sensical posts?

Iran has to import petrolium because during the Iran-Iraq war Saddam destroyed pretty much all of Iran's refineries therefore Iran does not have the capacity to refine enough oil for the nations needs... It imports petrolium from the UK and heavily subsidises its resale value.

lol this is the same guy who ones said in a argument that subsidizing the farmers in Iran isnt bad :P lol! subsidizing farmers is not bad but subsidizing cardrivers is? IMO both are bad... we should stop subsidizing everyone and only subsidise where its needed... this will get the government expands down with billions...

Subsidising petrol to that extent is stupid, its like shooting yourself in the foot... subsidising agriculture is beneficial to the rural communities.. but thats got nothing to do with this thread!

lol this is the same guy who ones said in a argument that subsidizing the farmers in Iran isnt bad :P lol! subsidizing farmers is not bad but subsidizing cardrivers is? IMO both are bad... we should stop subsidizing everyone and only subsidise where its needed... this will get the government expands down with billions...

When did I say subsidizing farmers is good in Iran? :nuts:

Btw, I was just using :hammer: considering Iran is a net exporter of oil. If it was iraq, i could understand but iran????

^^^who the hell was talking to you? i clearly quoted someone lol!

YO what the hell does

IMO mean...???

When in doubt go to www.urbandictionary.com!

Il give u this one for free IMO = In My Opinion ;)

Believe me, the poverty back then was NOTHING compared to what it is now and not even comparable to what it will be... Yet, Iran can give $500 million to Hibzullah.. How about fixing the economy first by stop giving away gifts that huge for no purpose when the people inside the country need the money themselves?

Yup, and besides the oil fields getting strained.. there are other domestic issues who needs to be taken care of.


Air Pollution Tehran’s Big Problem

TEHRAN, Jan. 8--An official said on Monday air pollution is Tehran’s biggest environmental crisis.

Fathollah Ommi, the executor of the comprehensive plan to reduce Tehran’s air pollution, added that based on the latest statistics, last year 9,900 people in Tehran died on account of only two pollutants, namely NOX and PM10, which indicate that these two caused the deaths of 27 people per day.
Ommi referred to the environmental crisis as fatal and akin to collective suicide, ISNA reported.

“Only during Oct. 23-Nov. 21, 2006, about 3,600 people in the capital have died of air pollution, either directly or indirectly. This shows that in only one month, 120 people died in Tehran as a result of air pollution,“ he said.
Also on Monday, Mohammad Hadi Haidarzadeh, advisor to Tehran’s mayor for environmental affairs, said Tehran’s air pollution control requires a huge revolution in the thinking of all officials.

Noting that Tehran’s residents are not happy about the environmental situation, the mayor’s advisor said, “One of the main reasons for this is air pollution and heavy traffic, which have drained Tehran’s residents of dynamism.“

Haidarzadeh, who heads Tehran Municipality’s Clean Air Headquarters, further said 4,500 people died of heart attacks during Oct. 23-Nov. 21, 2006.
“The deaths of about 80 percent of these individuals, either directly or indirectly, are linked to air pollution,“ he said.
“Unfortunately, the danger posed by Tehran’s air pollution crisis is no less than an earthquake, with the difference that the destructive effects of an earthquake are instantaneous, whereas air pollution kills innocent people gradually.“
He pointed out that Clean Air Week will be marked during January 11-19, instead of Clean Air Day.
“Every year, the Department of Environment has held special programs to mark Clean Air Day. This year, however, no serious activity is being observed,“ he said.
Haidarzadeh emphasized that in the past year, no serious action has been taken regarding the comprehensive plan and consequently a reduction in Tehran’s air pollution cannot be expected.

Mebe if they prioritized and spent some more money on Public transport instead of .... then they wouldn't need to ration OR subsidise petrol.

For instance they could build trams on the busy streets in Tehran with separate lanes and connect them to the closest metro stations. When it's more comfortable to use public transport, more people will actually use it instead of cars.

Heavily-Subsidized Fuel Hampering Economy

TEHRAN, Jan. 9--Heavy fuel subsidies have largely affected the economy with billions of rials being spent aimlessly on gasoline imports at a time when fuel smuggling from Iran to regional countries grows unabatedly.
“It is every government’s duty to pay subsidies to its people. However, in Iran, subsidies are yet to become targeted despite several attempts by the legislature to commit the government to a targeted subsidy allocation system,“ said Behnam Maleki, an economic expert.

He further said that political considerations apparently have hindered efforts to rectify the current subsidy system. The expert added that fuel subsidies are the worst kind of allowance being paid in Iran, stressing that cheap fuel has inspired creation of several fuel smuggling bands, whose illicit business has badly damaged the national economy.

“The only way out of the current dilemma is to make energy subsidies targeted,“ he said, proposing that fuel coupons be distributed in rural areas while, he said, fuel smart cards could be an appropriate option for urban population.

Economic experts and parliamentarians keep calling on the government to make subsidies targeted in a bid to curb excessive consumption.
Iran has one of the world’s highest wheat, power and fuel consumption rates.
A lawmaker said last week that subsidies must be targeted sooner or later, stressing that, otherwise, future generations will have to pay a very high price.

Soleiman Fahimi, a member of the Majlis Energy Commission’s presiding board, told ISNA that the issue should not remain a mere slogan.

“Given the growing consumption of heavily-subsidized goods in the country, the government would not be able to pay for the ever-increasing subsidies,“ he said, adding that the cash equivalent of subsidies should be allotted to the low-paid sections of the society.

The lawmaker said that the delay in making subsidies targeted is mainly due mainly to the lack of willpower among the officialdom. It has one of the world’s cheapest fuel prices with gasoline selling for less than nine cents per liter. Mineral water sells for 30 cents a liter here.

The country has the world’s second largest oil and gas reserves.

Even more reasoning why the government MUST make the day-to-day.. year-to-year running cost of a car higher to put ppl off buying cars as much... rationing is not the answer

^^^who the hell was talking to you? i clearly quoted someone lol!

^^ :doh:

A way to fix the problem is to build more refineries. tell me howmany refineries they have built during the past 27 years.

^^ I think the main problem that shugs etc are referring to is that iran needs (and wants) more refineries but they don't have the capacity to do the job themselves. This is why they are urging China and Russia to invest.

Fuel Rationing Plan Operational in Qeshm

iran-daily.com
TEHRAN, Jan. 20--The controversial fuel rationing plan has reportedly been kick started in the southern island of Qeshm with heavy vehicle owners getting 40-120 liters of diesel per day commensurate with their working hours and type of vehicle.

Announcing this, Gholamreza Khorouti, caretaker of the National Oil Products Distribution Company in Qeshm, told ILNA that smart cards are used for fuel rationing on the island, stressing that the initiative is aimed at curb smuggling of the product.

“The project was launched 10 days ago,“ he said, adding that the company has implemented the project independently. “Early results indicate the success of the initiative.“ The official also said that some 1.7 million liters of diesel is being consumed per day on the Persian Gulf island.

Heavy fuel subsidies have largely affected the economy with billions of rials being spent on gasoline imports at a time when fuel smuggling from Iran to regional countries grows unabatedly.

Behnam Maleki, an economic expert, believes that fuel subsidies are the worst kind of allowance being paid in Iran, stressing that cheap fuel has inspired creation of several fuel smuggling bands, whose illicit business has badly damaged the national economy.

“The only way out of the current dilemma is to make energy subsidies targeted,“ he said, proposing that fuel coupons be distributed in rural areas while, he said, fuel smart cards could be an appropriate option for urban population.

Economic experts and parliamentarians keep calling on the government to make subsidies targeted in a bid to curb excessive consumption. Iran has one of the world’s highest wheat, power and fuel consumption rates.

The country has the world’s second largest oil and gas reserves.

Update:

Iran ratifies two-pricing gasoline supply system
TEHRAN, March 2 (MNA) — The Joint Budget Committee of Majlis (Iranian Parliament) here Thursday gave the nod to a dual-price system to distribute gasoline nationwide for the next Iranian year (to start March 21, 2007).

The committee comprising 23 members of the Budget and Planning Committee and 24 other members from 12 parliamentary committees had previously decided to supply gasoline at the price of 150 tomans ($0.16) per liter.

“However, the members reviewed the decision and finally approved a two-pricing system to distribute the product,” the committee spokesman Mohammad-Mahdi Mofatteh told reporters.

Under the new system, domestically produced gasoline and the imported commodity (maximally valued at $2.5 billion) would be rationed and distributed at the price of 100 tomans ($0.1) per liter, MP explained.

The official added that the gasoline for surplus consumption would be supplied at a higher price. The government is tasked to consider a maximum subsidy valued at $2.5 billion to fix the open market price, he noted.

In addition, the Oil Ministry and the Management and Planning Organization (MPO) are duty-bound to get the cabinet’s approval of the executive bylaw for rationing and determining the open market price by late April, Mofatteh continued.

The deputy further said the ratification would be put into practice late May, “and up to that time, gasoline will be supplied at current 80 tomans (0.08) per liter”.

Gasoline consumption and supply have been on Iranian government’s agenda over the past few years.

Iran’s gasoline consumption is at a high level, as the country imports much of the product to meet domestic needs. The country has adopted certain strategies to manage the increasing consumption.

Upgrading and developing current refineries plus constructing new ones, and the development of urban transportation fleets are some of the strategies.

The replacement of dilapidated cars with news brands are among other measures.

Moreover, the Iranian legislative and executive bodies have attempted to manage gasoline consumption through supplying it by the use of Smart Cards or a two-pricing system.

http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=455587

It's hardly an up in price.. Well I hope it will be some sort of a soloution to the problems right now...

Iran to start rationing gasoline May 22
TEHRAN, April 21 (MNA) – The ultimate date for rationing gasoline is May 22, the Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) Mohammadreza Ne’matzadeh said here on Saturday.

According to him, gasoline is supplied at the price of 1,000 rials ($0.1) per liter.

Iran’s gasoline consumption is 81 million tons which can be slipped to 60 million tons if the rationed gasoline project approved, he said, adding that the domestic production of gasoline is 44.5 million liters.

Gasoline consumption and supply have been on Iranian government’s agenda over the past few years.

Iran’s gasoline consumption is at a high level, as the country imports much of the product to meet domestic needs. The country has adopted certain strategies to manage the increasing consumption.

http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=473864

Iran must delay petrol rationing: leading MP

by Farhad Pouladi Mon May 7, 9:04 AM ET

TEHRAN (AFP) -
Iran needs to postpone until September a plan scheduled for implementation this month to ration petrol that is expected to have a huge impact on the economy, a top MP was quoted as saying on Monday.

The plan, aimed at reducing the lavish subsidies that keep petrol prices low, should be put off as the technology to enforce the rationing is not ready, the head of parliament's energy commission, Kamal Daneshyar said according to local media.

"Based on the studies of our commission the ground is not ready to implement the rationing using smart cards, so we have to give another chance to the government," said Daneshyar.

"We have received reports that the devices for reading the smart cards break down quickly and some pumps end up working backwards. This means that instead of pumping petrol they suck up the petrol from the vehicles," he added.

"Therefore until these problems are addressed, the rationing project has to be postponed until around end of September," he concluded.

The lavish consumption by Iranian drivers, encouraged by the subsidised prices that work out less than a comparable amount of mineral water, forces OPEC's number two producer to import billions of dollars of extra petrol annually.

The government has yet to confirm whether the plan will be delayed but after such explicit comments by the head of the commission that drafted the legislation it appears unlikely the plan can go ahead on time.

There is a consensus in Iran that this colossal burden on the budget cannot continue but the government is aware that Iranians have become very used over the years to cheap petrol.

Economists have also warned that the rises in petrol prices could further stoke inflation in Iran, which is already a source of concern to the government and is estimated by parliament at over 20 percent.

Tehran has been abuzz with talk about the change with advertisements in newspapers and television urging people to obtain the smart cards to buy their petrol.

The liberal use of the motor car encouraged by the cheap prices has also caused some of the region's worst traffic congestion in Tehran where motorists can be caught up in snarls for hours on end.

However Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh denied that the government was looking for a way out of the plan, saying that the billions spent on petrol imports meant the move was overdue.

"In addition to the 44.5 million litres of petrol produced in Iran, last year we imported five billion dollars of gasoline. If the rationing is not implemented this year we are faced with importing 9.5 billion dollars worth of petrol."

He said that in the last Iranian year ending March 2007, 74 million litres of petrol was consumed per day and the government expected this figure to rise to around 81 million litres per day.

Under the plan approved by the Iranian parliament in early March, Iranian motorists will have to pay a higher price for any petrol they buy above a certain rationed quota.

The quota has yet to be defined by the government.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070507/wl_mideast_afp/iraneconomyoilenergy_070507130409

LOOOL Pumps that suck up the petrol? That's not rationing it's theft! :lol:

Iran to launch first phase of petrol rationing plan

Tue Jun 12, 3:36 AM ET

TEHRAN (AFP) -
Iran will launch on Thursday the first phase of a long-awaited plan to ration petrol that is expected to have a major impact on its economy, officials said.
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The plan, which aims to reduce colossal state petrol subsidies, is being implemented gradually and Thursday's change will only affect vehicles used by government officials, with private cars being targeted later.

"The start of first phase of petrol rationing is only for the government vehicles and will begin from midnight on Wednesday," the head of government special plans, Ali Akbar Mehrabian, was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

"The maximum quota for each government car at the start of the programme is 10 litres per day," he added.

This means that drivers of government cars -- mostly employees of ministries and state organisations -- will be able to buy a maximum of 10 litres of petrol at the regular price of 1,000 rials (10 cents) per litre.

Mehrabian did not give details for purchases in excess of this limit but the rationing law passed by parliament in March dictates that these would be charged at a much higher price.

The real significance of the rationing law will only be realised when it is enforced for private cars, forcing Iranians to pay a higher price for a commodity that now costs less than a comparable amount of mineral water.

Cheap pump prices have encouraged such consumption that the
OPEC number two oil producer ironically has to spend billions of dollars each year on importing refined oil from abroad.

Officials have said in the last Iranian year to March, Iran had to import 5.0 billion dollars worth of gasoline and if the rationing is not implemented this year Iran would have to import 9.5 billion dollars worth of petrol.

There has been considerable confusion about the implementation of the rationing plan, with some officials even suggesting it could be scrapped entirely.

Iran has already raised pump prices by 25 percent and forced consumers use smart cards to keep track of their petrol purchases. However problems in distrubuting the cards have caused delays in implementing the rest of the plan.

"Since there are rumours going around about the next phase of petrol rationing, it should be noted that whatever the government information centre announces is valid," said Mehrabian.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070612/wl_mideast_afp/iraneconomyenergyoil_070612073617

good news

Iran launches petrol rationing plan

2 hours, 17 minutes ago

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran will launch on Wednesday the second phase of a long-awaited plan to ration petrol that is expected to have a major economic impact, the oil ministry said in a statement carried by media Tuesday.
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"From midnight tonight (2030 GMT) petrol for all vehicles and motorcycles will be rationed," state television said in an announcement quoting a ministry statement.

It said private cars that are unable to use compressed natural gas (CNG) would get 100 litres of petrol a month, and those that can would get 30 litres.

Additionally, the period for rationing for privately owned cars that either only burn petrol or petrol and CNG is four months and can be extended to six months in future.

The maximum amount of petrol for this period is 400 liters for the petrol burning cars and 120 litres for those which consume both CNG and petrol.

The statement adds quotas can be saved and used later.

More than 10 days ago, Iran launched the first phase of the rationing plan, targeted only government vehicles.

The plan, aims to reduce colossal state petrol subsidies.

"The maximum quota for each government car at the start of the programme is 10 litres per day," an oil ministry official said at the time.

He did not give details for purchases in excess of this limit but the rationing law passed by parliament in March dictates that these would be at a much higher price.

The significance of the rationing law will only be realised when it is enforced for private cars, forcing Iranians to pay a higher price for a commodity that now costs less than a comparable amount of mineral water.

Cheap pump prices have encouraged such consumption that the OPEC number two oil producer ironically has to spend billions of dollars each year importing petrol.

Iran has already raised pump prices by 25 percent, to around 10 cents per litre, and forced consumers to use smart cards to keep track of their purchases.

However, problems in distributing the cards have delayed implementation of the rest of the plan. Pumping gas into the cars is only possible when the smart card is inserted into the pumping machine.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070626/wl_mideast_afp/iraneconomyenergyoil_070626195736

right, well it's finally done now... I bet a lot of problems will arise with people becoming hacked off when they do not have their smart cards to buy petrol... Especially if its an unlicensed vehicle. Then again that is the plus side of this, stolen vehicles will not have smart cards and you cannot apply for one if you do not have the deeds. Car theft is in for a significant drop until Iranian criminals figure out how to forge the smart cards lol.

Iran's an OPEC member....I mean u must have tonnes of oil and even you have to ration....

its not about quantity of oil but of petroleum, cars will not run on crude oil.. it needs to be refined. Iran's refineries were obliterated in the Iran-Iraq war and not until recently has Iran found the ability to refine mass amounts of crude... Not mentioning Iran's oil is heavy crude which is harder and therefore more expensive to refine. Yet they still need to import mass amounts of petroleum because of the explosion of households with more than one vehicle due to the low pump prices which have been subsidised for well over a decade... It's all in the article btw.

I was watching IRIB just now... there are massive cues at all of Tehran's petrol stations, seems like a mass panic has been caused because people think that Iran has run out of petrol completely... People in general become so irrational when it comes to fuel, Iranians especially, but by trying to buy up as much fuel as possible will mean that the pumps will go dry within days... It's quite embarrassing really.

Ah... Looks like I was right about silly Iranians. Angry protests flare in Iran over petrol rationing (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=13967117#post13967117)

it dont sound right Iran out of oil!!! i mean its the refining capacity that needs the investment there is alot of oil in Iran everyone knows this but it just sounds so strange how could Iran need oil its crazy

if Iran pumped as much as it did before the islamic revolution today Iran would have been a very every rich country, after the 1980s Iran should have tried its best to build and buy refining technology i think they concentrated more on just drilling

^Iran's may have plenty of oil but with the current rate of exports and domestic consumption Iran's crude oil reserves will be depleted within the next 15 years

It's easy to say that but the 80's was not a good decade for Iran as you know with the Iraq war... Strategic locations in Iran known by the Americans was handed to Saddam, these included refineries and drilling platforms, most of them were destroyed. The nation was under sanctions and various embargoes until the mid-90s when things started to slowly pick up.

^Iran's may have plenty of oil but with the current rate of exports and domestic consumption Iran's crude oil reserves will be depleted within the next 15 years

It's easy to say that but the 80's was not a good decade for Iran as you know with the Iraq war... Strategic locations in Iran known by the Americans was handed to Saddam, these included refineries and drilling platforms, most of them were destroyed. The nation was under sanctions and various embargoes until the mid-90s when things started to slowly pick up.

for sure i agree Iran has had very tough times in the past but what matters now is the future both for Iran and the region

So what is it like now as regards the petrol rationing. Have the queues dissapeared. Is the traffic still really bad?

I don't know but i think the traffic is slightly better now. will know for sure when i go to iran next week.

I don't know but i think the traffic is slightly better now. will know for sure when i go to iran next week.

Traffic was better for a while but now it's pretty much the same.

But in the long term this will fix both traffic and pollution, because a lot of the money which was going to oil subsidies (to keep petrol cheap) is now going to public transit. More people will be able to ride the bus and metro, because their will be more vehicles and a larger metro system. And the monorail should also help. And people who continue to ride cars will consider to make them "gaz-sooz." Or they will buy a cleaner running car.

Minister asks parliament for 2-3 months to resolve petrol rationing problems
TEHRAN, July 22 (MNA) -- On Sunday, Interior Minister Mostafa Purmohammadi asked the parliament to give two to three months to the administration to resolve the problems arising from petrol rationing.

“What has now happened in the case of rationing has the greatest possibility of success,” Purmohammadi told the Majlis.

Government Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said on Sunday that government doesn’t plan to sell petrol at two prices. He said the MPs have also supported this policy.

Currently subsidized petrol is sold at 1000 rials per liter. Some MPs have called on the government to sell oil at a real price outside the rationing system.

Double prices for petrol are harmful to the society, Elham told reporters at his weekly press briefing.

Mohammad Khoshchehreh of the Majlis Economic Committee told reporters that a group of MPs are preparing a plan that allows the Tehran Municipality to import petrol if the public transportation system in the capital requires this measure.

If the experiment is successful in Tehran, other major cities will implement it as well, he added.

MP Hassan Moradi of the Majlis Energy Committee told reporters that all dilapidated cars will be removed from the streets by 2011.

Banning jalopies from the country’s transportation system will help reduce fuel consumption, he explained.

http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=522295

______________________

Iran’s gasoline use on the wane
TEHRAN, July 22 (MNA) – The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) reported here on Sunday that the gasoline consumption had a decreasing trend in the past week.

The last week’s average gasoline consumption was 57.2 million liters per day, showing a 2.3 million liter decrease when compared to the figure of its preceding week.

The current consumption rate is equal to 2003 despite the fact that the number of sedans has doubled.

http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=522339

Iran to supply foreign tourists open market gasoline

TEHRAN, July 23 (Mehr News Agency) – The head of the Energy Committee of Majlis (Iran's parliament) said in Tehran on Monday that foreign tourists could use open market gasoline at 6,000 rials (64 cents) per liter with credit cards.

Talking to MNA, Kamal Daneshyar added that the parliament and government came to the agreement at Sunday's session.

The Energy Committee is convinced that the government has no alternative but to supply open market gasoline, he said.

http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jul/1273.html

Does this include Iranian expats visiting? If it's true then that's an alright comprimise for tourists.. Think I might call the embassy regarding this!

Beyond the ration gasoline to come
Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:36:06

An especial working group representing the office of Iran's president has given a green light to allocation of extra gasoline.

Gholam-Hossein Nozari, the acting Oil Minister, said one hundred liters of beyond-the-ration gasoline would be given to each private car to facilitate the movements of families in the remaining days of summer holidays and prevent any problems at the beginning of Iranian school year calendar, which starts at the last week of September.

Pointing to the good cooperation of Iranian people in the gasoline-rationing project, he added some people already used most of their gasoline due to summer travels and may have some fuel worries in the beginning days of Iranian school year, which is usually problematic because of heavy traffic.

"Given the fact that educational and cultural issues have high priorities, and the Government has a unique view on tourism sector, the decision has been made to add 100 liters to the ration limit " said the Acting Oil Minister.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=21473&sectionid=351020102

Petrol to Be Sold at Market Prices

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari announced that his country plans to supply petrol, diesel oil and fuel oil at free-market rates on daily basis while natural gas and kerosene will be semi-subsidized.


In an interview with Borna, Nozari spoke about the government's target-oriented subsidies plan, and said that the Oil Ministry was responsible to supply the country's energy.

"According to our duty, defined for us by the government, we will supply this need," he added.

Nozari explained that offering petrol, diesel oil and fuel oil at free- market rates and semi-subsidizing natural gas and kerosene was among alternatives discussed in the cabinet, and said, "None of these issues have been finalized yet."

He said that there was no concern about supplying petrol for the country, and explained, "We have the opportunity to supply the country's petrol from the Middle East markets and other markets as well."

The minister further mentioned a plan to supply the country's petrol needs within 48 hours.

Asked if the ministry is conducting plans to make petrol out of industrial waste, he said, "To use the term 'industrial waste' is not correct."

Nozari refrained from explaining how this type of petrol is supposed to be supplied.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8705141165