The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) has allocated about 6 million liters of diesel fuel to support buses and trucks transporting Arbaeen pilgrims and related cargo, a senior company official said.
Hamid Habibi, NIOPDC's commercial director, said the company is fully prepared to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, describing the operation as a well-established and coordinated national logistics effort.
Habibi said planning for the pilgrimage began three months ago through the national travel facilitation headquarters, where NIOPDC has worked with relevant bodies to coordinate fuel distribution for passenger and freight transport.
Fuel Supply to Continue Throughout Arbaeen
Habibi said the 6 million liters of diesel will be provided to eligible diesel-powered buses and trucks involved in transporting pilgrims and Arbaeen-related cargo. Fuel will be delivered to locations designated by the national coordination headquarters using NIOPDC tanker trucks or other approved transport fleets.
He added that the company will supply fuel for government, public and support fleets, as well as private vehicles traveling on domestic routes and at designated fueling points inside Iraq, continuing a service it has provided annually.
Mobile Fuel Stations Deployed at Border Crossings
Habibi said all major border crossings, from Tamarcheh in West Azarbaijan province to crossings in Khuzestan province, have been prepared for Arbaeen operations.
Mobile fueling stations have been relocated from across the country over the past month and deployed to West Azarbaijan, Kurdestan, Kermanshah, Ilam and Khuzestan provinces.
Selected service stations along pilgrimage routes will also provide rest facilities, including prayer rooms and restrooms. Some locations will host temporary hospitality stations serving pilgrims.
Emergency Fuel Cards Issued
Habibi said domestic diesel-powered buses and trucks will continue receiving fuel under Iran's mileage-based allocation system. Emergency fuel cards and special Arbaeen fuel cards have also been issued and distributed along routes leading to border crossings to meet additional demand.
Vehicles carrying pilgrims or Arbaeen-related cargo have been identified through transport documentation, while eligible fleets without sufficient allocations will receive fuel through the special cards. Mobile fueling units operating inside Iraq will dispense fuel without requiring fuel cards, he said.
Pilgrims Urged to Use Public Transportation
Habibi encouraged pilgrims to use public transportation whenever possible, citing limited parking capacity and traffic congestion at border terminals.
Those traveling by private vehicle were advised to fill their fuel tanks before reaching border areas to avoid long queues at busy service stations.