War and sanctions deepen Iran's fuel crisis

Only days after Washington announced a new round of economic sanctions on Iran , the country's gasoline shortage has become increasingly visible on the streets.

In cities across Iran , drivers are reporting hours-long waits at filling stations. Videos circulating on social media show some people arriving before midnight or sleeping in their cars to secure fuel the following morning. Some stations have closed before serving everyone in line.

The situation is even more difficult for diesel. Truck drivers say queues at filling stations near major cities can stretch for kilometers, forcing them to wait overnight simply to obtain enough fuel to return to work.

Iran already faces a gasoline deficit of roughly 15 million liters a day. War damage, difficulties importing refined products and a tightening US blockade have made an old structural problem much harder to manage.

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A resident of Karaj, west of Tehran, told DW that some filling stations were limiting individual purchases to around five liters.

"I'm in the gasoline line right now. It took about 45 minutes just to get this far," he said. "Yesterday I went to several stations. Some were closed, some had no gasoline and others had very long queues."

He said he returned at 6 a.m. the next morning hoping to avoid the crowds but again found a long line.