Mohammad-Sadeq Azimifar said import licenses have been issued for 18 importing companies and six distribution companies, adding that the first shipment will be listed on the exchange today, Nov. 18.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the First National Conference on Preventing and Combating Fuel Smuggling, Azimifar said the Oil Ministry has introduced new policies for supplying and distributing premium gasoline. NIORDC, he added, functions only as the licensing authority, while private companies are responsible for importing and distributing the product.

He said pricing for the cargo will be based on the private sector’s costs, a move he said will increase transparency in the market and help meet consumer demand. The volume of premium gasoline imports will depend on market needs.

Diesel Export Capacity Tied to Consumption Control, Anti-Smuggling Efforts

Azimifar also highlighted the ministry’s real-time fuel monitoring system, which uses equipment installed at refineries, transmission lines and fuel stations to track each drop of product from production to consumption. Data are collected through refinery DCS systems, the NIORDC dispatching network and retail stations. He said the system can more accurately detect leaks and losses if consumer-sector agencies cooperate.

He added that controlling domestic consumption and preventing diesel smuggling would create export capacity. In previous years, he said, Iran exported diesel to neighboring countries, and similar exports could resume if consumption remains under control.

Azimifar said daily diesel consumption has fallen by 3 million to 5 million liters in recent months. According to published figures, consumption stabilized at about 4 million liters a day in November, compared with 3 million liters a day in September and October. Estimates suggest the figure will remain at around 4 million liters.