Fuel distribution across 60 percent of Iran’s gas stations was disrupted Monday due to a “possible sabotage,” state media reported.

It was not immediately clear what was causing the problem.

The “possible sabotage” claim was made by anonymous sources to Iranian state TV.
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But Deputy Oil Minister Jalil Salari told local media they were facing “a challenge with card readers” and authorities were working to quickly resolve the issue.

Iran, a major oil producer, enjoys among the cheapest petrol prices worldwide, but motorists must use special cards to buy at the subsidised rate and have a monthly limit before they must pay higher market prices.

Employees at petrol stations had “disconnected the online system” and fuel was being supplied offline, Salari said.

Iran suffered a similar week-long disruption in October 2021 which officials blamed on an unprecedented cyberattack by outside actors.

It brought Iran’s fuel distribution system to a halt, resulting in traffic jams and long lines at petrol stations.
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