NIORDC said methanol is widely recognized internationally as an oxygenate used in fuels to improve combustion, increase octane and help manage fuel composition. Some countries have established technical standards and requirements governing its use in fuel blends.

Under Iran’s National Standard No. 22920, developed with the participation of stakeholders including automakers and the Department of Environment, the use of oxygenates such as methanol is permitted. The standard sets the maximum allowable methanol content at 3% by volume.

“Therefore, the use of methanol within the prescribed limit is not outside Iran’s national standards,” NIORDC said, adding that gasoline quality should be assessed based on the overall specifications of the final product and its compliance with applicable standards.

The company said extensive laboratory and field studies on methanol use in fuel have been conducted in recent years by recognized scientific institutions, including the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry and the Petrochemical Research and Technology Co.

Persian Gulf Star Refinery has also conducted a preliminary, non-continuous test using methanol at 0.5% by volume, equivalent to about one-sixth of the 3% maximum permitted under National Standard No. 22920. NIORDC said the tested concentration fully complies with approved quality requirements and relevant regulations.

The company stressed that the quality of a hydrocarbon product, particularly gasoline, cannot be assessed solely on the presence or absence of a specific compound.

“More specifically, the presence of 0.5% methanol alone does not indicate that a vehicle will be damaged, nor does it by itself prove the quality of gasoline,” NIORDC said.

Instead, the company said, gasoline must be evaluated based on a range of physical and chemical characteristics, including octane number, vapor pressure, distillation range, water content, oxidation stability, corrosiveness, oxygenate content and other final-product specifications.

NIORDC said these parameters have been monitored to ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

The company also emphasized that determining the impact of fuel on vehicles requires a comprehensive assessment of fuel quality, engine performance and the compatibility of fuel-system components over a valid testing period.

“National and international standards, product specifications and results from reliable laboratory and technical tests should be the basis for such assessments,” NIORDC said, adding that rumors and unsupported claims circulating on some social media pages should not be used as a basis for judging fuel quality or its effects on vehicles.