Fuel Station Inspections Intensified: Iranian Official

The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) has ordered expanded inspections of fuel stations, saying the company will prioritize public complaints and take firm action against any violations or poor service standards.

Speaking at a meeting with Mohammadreza Pirzadi-Jahromi, deputy for complaints handling and protection of citizens' rights at the Oil Ministry, NIOPDC CEO Keramat Veis-Karami said consumers are entitled to fair, high-quality service. He instructed inspection teams to carry out comprehensive audits of fuel stations and said continuous oversight and prompt responses to public complaints would be the company's top priorities in the coming days.

Referring to reports of irregularities in fuel sales, Veis-Karami said any misuse, overcharging, or failure to comply with service standards would be investigated thoroughly by dispatched inspection teams.

He said the first phase of inspections will focus on fuel stations in the outskirts of Tehran, including Eslamshahr, Pakdasht, Robat Karim, Varamin, and Shahriar. Coordination has also been completed with NIOPDC officials in the Tehran and Alborz regions to ensure detailed reports on station performance are submitted to management.

Veis-Karami also outlined the company's logistical preparations for the funeral procession of Iran's slain supreme leader, saying extensive plans have been implemented to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies, particularly gasoline and diesel, to facilitate travel along key routes linking Tehran, Alborz, and Qom.

Fuel Stations Are the Oil Ministry's Public Face

Pirzadi Jahromi said fuel stations serve as the "front line" of the Oil Ministry's public services and have played a critical role in maintaining fuel supplies during periods of heightened demand. He said maintaining high service standards is essential to improving public satisfaction.

Seven Inspection Teams Deployed

Mansour Sharifi, head of NIOPDC's Inspection and Complaints Response Department, said seven dedicated inspection teams have been deployed to strengthen oversight of fuel stations as part of a broader effort to protect consumers' rights and improve service quality.

The teams will conduct scheduled inspections, evaluate service delivery, monitor station performance, and investigate public complaints in an effort to restore public confidence and reinforce the company's service mission, he said.

Sharifi added that reports from supervisory systems have identified complaints in recent months regarding fuel distribution practices and the collection of unauthorized charges at some stations, particularly those related to restrictions on emergency fuel cards. In response, inspection teams have been dispatched to stations across high-traffic areas and border districts of Tehran province to conduct on-site investigations. - Shana