Iranians Queue for Fuel After US Announces New Sanctions
Long queues were observed at a number of petrol stations in the Tehran area, the Iranian capital, on Tuesday (25/8) local time. The situation unfolded after the United States announced a series of new sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran into submission.
Washington shifted to exerting economic pressure after the war that has raged over the past six months against Iran reached a military stalemate. Peace negotiations have also stalled, and most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy supplies, has been blocked.
Although Iranian leaders have responded to Washington’s tough rhetoric with indifference, given that the country has faced sanctions for decades, some Tehran residents worry they will feel the impact.
“Of course, sanctions affect people’s lives. People suffer, both those who are financially well-off and those who are financially weak,” said one Iranian resident, Mehdi Yazdian (55), who works as a property agent, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (26/8/2026).
He urged the Iranian government to control prices. “Yes, these sanctions do have an impact, but of course, our people are resilient. These sanctions have been in place for 47 years,” Yazdian said.
Long queues were seen at several petrol stations in the Tehran area on Tuesday (25/8) local time, with lines of cars and motorcycles having to wait to obtain fuel.
Iran itself has been grappling with soaring inflation even before the war broke out. The situation triggered widespread anti-government protests nationwide that peaked in January, before being suppressed by Tehran authorities with a harsh crackdown that reportedly killed thousands.
“I personally am not at all afraid of war, because this is our homeland. But in my view, this war will be more economic in nature and will place great pressure on society, so protests may well re-emerge,” said another Iranian resident, Kia Farahani (45), who works as an English teacher.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, when announcing the new sanctions on Iran, stated that countries that do not support US economic operations will “share in the isolation” experienced by Tehran. He added that US President Donald Trump has contacted world leaders to ask them to halt interactions with Iran.
The US Treasury Department confirmed that the expanded secondary sanctions will target Iran’s digital assets and technology, gold, aviation, and shipping sectors. They also imposed new sanctions on 60 individuals, companies, and vessels suspected of helping Tehran generate revenue from oil, weapons procurement, and cyber operations.
The sanctions target various entities around the world, including in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Europe.