Fuel distribution was halted at 60% of petrol stations across Iran on Monday due to possible sabotage, according to state television.
Deputy Oil Minister Jalil Salari said on television that there was a card reader problem.
In Iran, motorists can obtain a digital card issued by authorities, which entitles them to a monthly quota of subsidised petrol.
State television, citing anonymous sources, hinted at the potential for sabotage within the country’s petrol distribution system, without providing any further explanation. Petrol stations have disconnected the system and fuel is “now supplied offline,” Mr Salari explained .
The Oil Ministry is “trying to resolve the issue” within the “next six to seven hours,” according to a statement quoted by state television.
US, Israeli and Iranian media said the disruption was due to a cyberattack by an Israeli hacker group.
In October 2021, a cyberattack resulted in a week-long general outage at petrol stations. That attack had elicited a response from Iran’s top authorities and caused traffic jams on Tehran’s main roads, as well as long queues at petrol stations.
Iran, whose economy is affected by severe international sanctions, has the world’s fourth largest proven oil reserves.
