Iranian president opts for taxi contaminated fuel disables motorcade

Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was compelled to finish part of his recent trip to Tabriz using a taxi after three of his official vehicles experienced mechanical failures caused by contaminated fuel, a senior government official announced.

Mostafa Molavi, the president’s special inspector, explained that all three vehicles, which were part of the security convoy, stalled near Takestan in Qazvin province following refueling at a roadside gas station.

“The vehicles refueled at a highway service station near the Rasht exit, but shortly afterward, all three broke down before reaching Takestan,” Molavi stated during a visit to Qazvin’s provincial headquarters earlier this week.

He added that an investigation revealed the fuel at the station was mixed with water and of low quality, with the station having a history of similar violations.

Notably, President Pezeshkian chose not to involve local authorities or request assistance, opting instead to privately arrange a taxi to complete his journey to Tabriz.

The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) confirmed prior complaints against the gas station for fuel quality issues but did not explain why it continued operating despite repeated infractions.

Neither the president’s office nor the Ministry of Petroleum has issued an official comment on the incident.