Abbas Basafa, director of the National Smart Fuel System at the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, told Shana News that data cross-checking with police databases led to the identification of more than 530,000 invalid fuel cards.

“These cards were mostly linked to stolen or scrapped vehicles and motorcycles, as well as those officially ordered for dismantling,” Basafa said. “The process has prevented the illegal withdrawal of about 1.3 million liters of fuel daily, playing a major role in conserving national fuel resources.”

Basafa said the update was completed with the cooperation of the police (FARAJA), the National Headquarters for Combating Smuggling of Goods and Currency, and the Office of the Attorney General. He added that the lack of access to law enforcement data in previous years had prevented the cancellation of such cards.

Fuel Card Issuance Resumes Normal Operations

Addressing public complaints about delays in issuing new smart fuel cards, Basafa said applications can be submitted either online at fcs.niopdc.ir or in person at Police+10 service offices.

“Before June 2025, online applications were processed in less than 10 days, and in-person requests within 40 days,” he said. “In early July, card production temporarily halted for one month due to operational requirements at the manufacturing company, but production has since returned to normal. The issuance process is now running smoothly through both methods.”

Basafa also noted that a new production line for smart fuel cards has recently been launched. “Until now, the technology for personalizing and manufacturing these cards was monopolized by Germany and China,” he said. “Thanks to local engineering and reverse-design efforts, that monopoly has been broken. The new equipment has significantly increased daily production capacity.”