Tabriz ( The COW News Digital)In an unusual turn of events, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was recently forced to complete part of his journey by taxi after his official convoy broke down due to low-quality fuel. According to Iranian media, the incident occurred while President Pezeshkian was en route to the northwestern city of Tabriz.
The convoy had reportedly stopped at a petrol station in Qazvin province to refuel three vehicles. However, shortly after refueling, all three vehicles malfunctioned, forcing the convoy to a halt. Investigations later revealed that the petrol supplied at the station was adulterated with water, causing the breakdowns.
Without waiting for assistance or notifying local officials, President Pezeshkian is said to have calmly arranged for a private taxi and continued his journey to Tabriz without any formal escort.
A senior Iranian official confirmed that the petrol station in question had a history of supplying contaminated fuel. “Complaints regarding the quality of fuel from this station have been lodged before,” the official noted, expressing concern over how the station was still operational despite repeated violations.
The Iranian National Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) later verified that the station had been under observation and acknowledged past complaints about fuel quality. However, no explanation was provided as to why the facility remained active despite its record.
The event has raised questions about fuel monitoring and distribution standards in the country. While Iranian citizens often voice concerns over fuel adulteration, such issues rarely affect high-ranking officials, making this incident particularly noteworthy.
So far, neither the President’s office nor the Ministry of Petroleum has issued an official statement on the matter. However, the story has gone viral on Iranian social media, sparking public criticism and demands for stricter regulatory oversight.
This incident comes at a time when Iran is facing growing scrutiny over infrastructure and governance issues. For many Iranians, President Pezeshkian’s unassuming response—choosing a taxi over a special escort—has highlighted both the gravity of the problem and the President’s personal resolve.
Observers believe the event could trigger a wider crackdown on substandard fuel suppliers and bring renewed attention to quality control across Iran’s vast energy distribution network.
