Iran reports around 30M liters of oil products being smuggled per day


(MENAFN) Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, revealed alarming statistics about the smuggling of oil products, stating that 25 to 30 million liters are illicitly transported out of the country daily. He emphasized that such operations are undoubtedly organized. Qalibaf made these remarks during a parliamentary session focused on addressing the nation’s energy challenges, particularly frequent power outages during the cold season.

He pointed out significant energy imbalances in the summer, with a gap exceeding 15,000 megawatts in electricity consumption. A report from the parliament’s research center showed that this energy shortfall led to a 1.5 percent decline in industrial production growth during the summer. This reduction not only hurt producers but also resulted in financial losses for the government, underlining the broader economic consequences of the crisis.

During the winter, the natural gas sector faced a shortfall of around 250 million cubic meters per day. To cope, industries were forced to shut down, and the gas distribution network suffered from pressure drops. These measures, while addressing immediate needs, highlighted deeper structural issues in energy management.

Qalibaf warned that these problems extend beyond domestic concerns, impacting Iran’s international standing. He recalled a time when the country could leverage its oil supply as a geopolitical tool, asserting that current imbalances have eroded this capability. The speaker stressed the urgent need for strategic attention to address these challenges, warning of continued damage to Iran's economy and influence if left unresolved.

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