From Sept. 7 to Sept. 12, the country distributed a total of 1.0056 billion liters of gasoline, the company reported. The increase was linked to summer travel and recent public holidays. The weekly average of 143.7 million liters was significantly higher than the country’s average daily consumption of about 130 million liters recorded earlier this year.

Daily consumption during that week reached 149.2 million liters on Sept. 6, 141.3 million on Sept. 7, 139.7 million on Sept. 8, 149.7 million on Sept. 9, 146.1 million on Sept. 10, 145.1 million on Sept. 11, and 134.5 million on Sept. 12. The highest levels were on Sept. 6 and Sept. 9, while the lowest was on Sept. 12.

Officials said the surge highlights renewed pressure on the country’s fuel distribution network and underscores the need for consumption management. Average annual gasoline consumption has grown about 5% since the 1979 revolution, and in the past four years alone demand has climbed 10%. Projections indicate daily consumption could hit 170 million liters by 2028 if the trend continues.

Experts point to outdated automotive technology, inefficient vehicles that fail to meet international standards, fuel smuggling, and aging cars with high fuel use as key drivers of excessive demand.

Per capita gasoline use in Iran stands at about 4 liters per day, above the global average of 3 liters. If consumption keeps rising, the imbalance could cost the country more than $16 billion annually in fuel imports by 2028.