Iran’s President Reveals Ongoing Reliance on Harmful Fuel Oil to Ensure Gas Supply Stability

In a recent announcement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the government’s challenging decision to burn mazut, a highly polluting fuel, to ensure household gas supplies remain uninterrupted. This situation has sparked discussions about energy policies and environmental concerns in Iran.

During a televised speech, Pezeshkian stated, “We were not supposed to burn mazut at all, and we announced this. But then we got stuck. If we hadn’t used it, we would have had to cut off gas supplies to households, because our consumption is many times higher than in other countries. We were forced to.” This declaration underscores the critical energy crisis Iran is facing as it struggles to meet domestic gas demands.

The Iranian government has been grappling with a significant gasoline shortage since last summer, which has led to the use of mazut as a substitute in fuel production. Pezeshkian emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, “In order to stop these problems from happening next year, we’ve started to create plans,” though he did not divulge specific details about these plans.

Here are some key points regarding Iran’s current energy challenges:

• Increase in Household Gas Tariffs: In November 2024, the government issued a decree to raise household gas tariffs.
• Authorization of Mazut Use: Provinces were authorized to use mazut across all power plants and industries.
• Rolling Power Cuts: Tehran has implemented rolling blackouts this winter due to a severe shortage of natural gas, which is the primary fuel source for power generation.

Despite repeated assurances to phase out mazut usage in power plants, reports indicate that the practice persists. This is concerning, considering the detrimental effects of mazut on the environment and public health. The Iranian government initially framed the rolling blackouts as a necessary precaution to avoid using mazut or diesel, but the situation has not improved.

According to a 2023 report by Radio Farda, the Iranian Oil Ministry’s reports revealed a startling increase in mazut consumption. In December 2022, mazut usage surged to 38.5 million liters per day, marking a 22 percent increase compared to previous months, and further escalated to 42 million liters per day in January 2023.

Mazut, a low-grade fuel, contains harmful additives that significantly contribute to the air pollution crisis in Iran. This alarming trend has garnered international attention, with the UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David Boyd, urging Iran to cease this practice. Boyd stated, “Iran is burning mazut, one of the dirtiest fuels, to generate electricity. This produces massive volumes of toxic air pollution, which poisons millions of people in Iran, violating their human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. Iran must stop burning mazut!”

As the Iranian population continues to face deteriorating air quality and rising pollution levels, the health implications of burning mazut cannot be overstated. The use of this low-grade fuel has been linked to severe public health risks, including respiratory illnesses and even fatalities. Iranians have voiced their frustrations over the worsening conditions in many cities, where air pollution levels have reached alarming heights.

In conclusion, Iran’s reliance on mazut to meet energy demands raises critical questions about the country’s energy policies and environmental responsibilities. The government’s measures to combat the energy crisis, including the use of mazut, highlight the tension between immediate energy needs and long-term environmental sustainability. As the nation grapples with these challenges, it remains to be seen how effectively the government can implement plans to reduce mazut usage and improve air quality for its citizens.