Iran warns of domestic gas shortages from war this winter

Iran's government has warned of worsening internal gas shortages this winter as a result of damage to processing facilities in the war with the United States that could lead to cuts in supply.

"If the level of consumption is high it is possible that gas cuts will occur all over the country including in Tehran," government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said in a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iran, a major oil producer, controls part of the world's biggest natural gas field but has sometimes faced difficulty meeting domestic demand because of outdated equipment, worsened by international sanctions. It is now subject to a US blockade of its ports.

The country faced some gas shortages and power cuts even before the conflict that began with a US and Israeli air campaign on 28 February, a situation which has now worsened.

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Mohajerani forecast a shortfall of 430 million cubic meters in gas supply this year, compared to about 300 million cubic meters in previous years.

National Iranian Gas Company managing director Saeed Tavakoli said this month there had been damage to four processing plants during the first phase of the conflict early this year, which initially reduced capacity by 230 million cubic meters, of which around 100 million had so far been restored.

Last week the company warned that 11 of Iran's 31 provinces could face supply difficulties this winter, naming Mazandaran on the Caspian coast, and Golestan and North Khorasan along Iran's border with Turkmenistan, as most vulnerable.

Political leaders have urged Iranians to use less gas. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday called on Iranians to cut their gas use by 10% ahead of the winter.

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref was cited by state news agency IRNA on Monday as saying gas prices could rise as a result of the reduced supply if consumption was excessive.