Long Lines at Tehran Gas Stations as 1,500 Toman Quota Fuel Trades for Up to 2,500 Tomans on the Informal Market

According to Khabaronline, in a report relayed by Donya-e-Eqtesad on Monday, August 24, 2026 (2 Shahrivar 1405), long lines of cars and motorcycles have formed at Tehran gas stations in recent days. Several motorists and station attendants told the outlet the main driver is concern over a possible cut to gasoline quotas and a change in pricing, concern that intensified after the president's chief of staff recently said a quota cut is definite, without specifying the size of the cut or the price for consumption above the quota. Some drivers said they are also queuing out of fear that stations could close or run out of fuel.

Khabaronline's report adds that an informal market for reselling gasoline quotas has emerged alongside the stations: buyers seeking someone else's 1,500-toman-tier quota pay that seller an average of about 2,000 to 2,500 tomans per liter, on top of the official pump price, while for the 3,000-toman tier the resale premium averages about 1,500 tomans per liter.