Tehran continues to experience petrol queues caused by unnecessary visits from residents, whilst fuel supplies remain stable throughout Iran and queues have cleared in all other cities, Tasnim reported on June 17.

Despite having its own refining capacity, Iran's supply-side shortages can be acute in times of stress. Stresses on the system currently from Israeli strikes in South Pars, Assalouyeh and other refining centres have caused some disruptions, but not enough to stop supplies. 

Fuel supply, transport and distribution remain completely normal and stable across the country despite war conditions, according to the news agency's economic correspondent.

In the first 24 hours following what the report termed the attack by Israeli forces, some citizens repeated behaviour from recent years of rushing to petrol stations during natural disasters and other events, creating queues at fuel stations.

However, residents in other areas stopped making excessive visits to petrol stations once assured of stable fuel supply and distribution. All petrol queues cleared in cities and inter-city roads across the country, except in the capital.

Field investigations at several Tehran fuel stations revealed that more than half of recent visits by Tehran residents were unnecessary. Under normal circumstances, such individuals would not visit petrol stations.

Some residents without genuine need wait more than an hour in fuel queues despite having nearly full or half-full tanks. In more extreme cases, one citizen was observed attempting to fill containers at a petrol station despite having a full tank.

From June 17, 17 mobile fuel stations began operating in various parts of Tehran to help clear queues, with plans to increase the number to 30 mobile stations in the coming days.

The persistent queues in Tehran contrast with the situation elsewhere in Iran, where fuel distribution continues normally and residents have returned to regular refuelling patterns.