Gaza Herald – The Iranian government has warned that the country is facing a worsening natural gas shortage during the upcoming winter season. This crisis stems from significant damage inflicted on processing facilities during recent hostilities with the United States. Authorities indicated that supply interruptions are likely in various regions, including the capital city of Tehran, as consumption rates continue to rise.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, addressed the situation during a press conference in Tehran. She stated that increased demand could lead to widespread disruptions in gas supplies across the nation. Mohajerani projected a supply deficit of approximately 430 million cubic meters for the current year. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to the roughly 300 million cubic meter shortfall recorded in previous years.
Saeed Tokli, the chief executive officer of the National Iranian Gas Company, provided further details regarding the infrastructure damage. He confirmed that four gas processing factories were damaged during the initial phase of the conflict earlier this year. These attacks reduced production capacity by an estimated 230 million cubic meters. Tokli noted that authorities have managed to compensate for about 100 million cubic meters of this lost capacity so far through emergency measures.
The National Iranian Gas Company issued warnings last week highlighting the severity of the situation. They reported that eleven out of thirty-one provinces may struggle to secure adequate gas supplies throughout the winter months. Iran has long faced difficulties meeting domestic demand despite being a major oil and gas producer. Aging infrastructure and international sanctions have historically constrained the sector.
The recent war has exacerbated these existing vulnerabilities. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and the United States on February 28, the country already experienced instances of gas shortages and electricity blackouts. The new damage has intensified the pressure on the national grid as temperatures drop.
In response to the looming crisis, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, urged citizens to reduce their gas consumption by ten percent ahead of winter. He made this appeal last Sunday to help stabilize the network. Meanwhile, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Arafat cautioned that prices could rise if consumption exceeds normal levels due to the reduced supply, according to the state news agency IRNA.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
