Iran is striving to lift sanctions so that it can increase oil exports, but the truth is that it will not be long before it will have to import fuel, even more if the sanctions are lifted and activity in the domestic economy is accelerated. 

Oil Minister Javad Owji, last night expressed concern about the situation and explained that the country’s refining capacity does not meet the demand from the manufacturing sector and power plants.

According to the minister, the country's refining capacity is 106 million liters per day, while consumption is expected to reach 120 million liters per day. What slightly hampers consumption is the corona virus that has reduced gasoline consumption due to closures and declining activity. 

According to Owji, the lack of refining capacity is due to a lack of investment in this industry over the past few years.