Nasser Ashouri, speaking Tuesday at a specialized meeting titled “Challenges and Solutions for Development and Removing Production Obstacles in the Oil Refining Industry” on Kish Island, said refineries have maintained stable and growing operations despite sanctions and financial constraints by relying on domestic expertise.

Ashouri said statistics show the refining industry has performed successfully over the past decade. Gasoline production has followed an upward trend from 57 million liters per day in 1395 to 110 million liters per day in 1404, he said. He attributed the gains to engineers and workers who have kept century-old refineries operating without relying on foreign specialists.

Addressing the causes of the gasoline imbalance despite rising output, Ashouri said the problem stems not from production but from consumption. Poor consumption management, insufficient oversight, weak planning and the failure to implement legal mandates — particularly Article 46 of the Seventh Development Plan — placed the government in a position where the country faced energy and gasoline imbalances.

Refineries Continue Production Growth

Ashouri said the diesel imbalance was contained in 1404 and diesel imports fell to zero. Gasoline consumption, however, continues to rise, increasing pressure on the refining sector, he said, adding that refining companies have nevertheless continued to boost production.

He pointed to recent measures to curb fuel consumption, saying a significant portion of fuel smuggling has been contained over the past three to four months through pressure and follow-up by parliament, the government and oversight bodies. Multiple plans have also been implemented to manage demand, he said.

Ashouri said the refining industry’s challenges cannot be resolved overnight but voiced expectations that priority issues would be addressed with cooperation between the government and parliament so the sector can move forward in line with national plans. He called on lawmakers and relevant officials to help remove obstacles.