Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Wednesday that statistics from the sales department show discounts applied to Iran’s oil exports have followed a clear downward trend from September 2024 through mid-October 2025, resulting in lower overall discounts.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Paknejad said gasoline consumption fell by about 9 million liters in the first week after the launch of a new gasoline program. He stressed, however, that a proper assessment requires longer-term data.

He said comparisons covering the period from Nov. 22 to Dec. 12, before the regulation took effect, showed personal fuel cards were used about 17% less than station cards — a notable figure. From the start of implementation through the week ending Dec. 21, daily use of station cards dropped by about 24 million liters, he said. Of that amount, roughly 15 million liters shifted to personal cards, while about 9 million liters represented an actual reduction in gasoline consumption.

Despite these initial effects, Paknejad said short-term comparisons are not sufficient for firm conclusions and that long-term impacts must be considered.

Pension Fund Building Case Reopened

Paknejad also addressed the seizure ruling involving an Iranian pension fund building in London, saying legal appeals were accepted by British courts and the initial ruling will be reviewed. He credited coordinated legal efforts by the presidential legal office, the Oil Ministry and other institutions.

On gas production, he said output from the South Pars field is in strong condition and has reached a record level of gas injection into Iran’s national grid, the highest in recent years.

 Oil “On the Water” Not a Sales Problem

Responding to reports, including by Bloomberg, claiming that about 50 million barrels of Iranian oil are stranded at sea, Paknejad said oil being transported by tankers does not indicate sales difficulties.

Oil loaded in the Persian Gulf travels to intermediate and final destinations, he said, and remains “on the water” throughout transport and operational processes related to sales.

He also said Iran has not yet faced problems from reduced Chinese buying due to holidays, noting that Chinese refineries — including private ones — continue operations and that oil sales during holiday periods follow established mechanisms.

Power Plants Compensated With Liquid Fuel

Responding to questions about gas deliveries to power plants, Paknejad said gas supplies continue but are subject to prioritization during cold weather, when residential and commercial demand rises. As a result, temporary restrictions may be applied to other sectors, including power plants and some industries.

He said part of the shortfall to power plants is being offset with liquid fuel, adding that conditions for liquid fuel supplies are better this year.

Paknejad said regulations to transfer gasoline quotas from fuel cards to bank cards have been approved by the Cabinet. The system, based on a “switch” mechanism, is being implemented by the Economy Ministry and the Central Bank with support from the Oil Ministry and is expected to roll out in coming months.

Gasoline Prices, Budget Assumptions

Asked about the possibility of gasoline price hikes, Paknejad said a government-approved working group is tasked with reviewing the issue. Any price increase would depend on the group’s conclusions, meaning no immediate hike is guaranteed.

He declined to comment on oil sales mechanisms or pricing, including speculation that sanctions on Russia could affect Iran’s East Asian market share. Paknejad said oil price assumptions in next year’s budget are based on market trends and expert analysis and will be announced after finalization.

He said the budget oil price formula includes international benchmarks, which fluctuate with market conditions, and premium differentials adjusted to prevailing circumstances.

Azadegan Field Development

Paknejad rejected claims of delays in developing the Azadegan oil field, saying efforts to accelerate development date back years. He said Iran now treats North and South Azadegan as a single integrated field.

A development framework has been defined and a contract signed, he said, which is under review by shareholders, the National Development Fund and the Planning and Budget Organization and is expected to be finalized soon.

He said development and drilling have continued under existing legal provisions despite the contract not being finalized, with surface facilities expanded and current production reaching about 230,000 to 240,000 barrels per day. Production is expected to rise further once the contract process is completed.

Multiple-Vehicle Fuel Quota System

Paknejad said public response has been strong to a self-declaration system for owners of multiple vehicles. About 450,000 people have voluntarily selected one vehicle from among those they own to receive a fuel quota. He said he is not aware of restrictions on registering vehicles in family members’ names.

He added that motorcycles are not subject to restrictions under the current system.