Copy in clipboard...
Iran to give fuel cards to foreign tourists for overland travel
Iran’s government has agreed in principle to issue fuel cards to foreign tourists entering the country by private car, a senior tourism official said on Sunday, aiming to boost visitor numbers and spread economic benefits beyond major cities.
Moslem Shojaei, director-general of marketing and advertising at Iran’s Tourism Ministry, said that the specialized fuel cards would be sold at international rates, not subsidized domestic prices.
He expects the scheme to be operational by the end of the current Iranian year in March 2026, ILNA reported.
“This tackles a key hurdle for overland tourism,” Shojaei said. The move is part of a push to attract 15 million annual visitors. “We’re turning to capacities that are lower-cost, more accessible, and more sustainable,” he added.
Iran shares land borders with 15 neighbors. Tourists driving in, often with families, stay longer and visit more destinations than air arrivals, Shojaei noted. “They stop in cities like Arak and use local services, which has a direct economic impact,” he said.
The plan, drafted with the Oil Ministry and the Planning and Budget Organization, recently cleared the government’s economic commission. Final edits are now being made. The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company will run the scheme.
Shojaei dismissed concerns about fuel smuggling, saying the globally-priced cards would curb, not encourage, illicit trade. “It makes no sense for a foreign tourist to use subsidized fuel,” he said.
The initiative follows existing mechanisms for commercial trucks and buses. Shojaei argued it would ensure “subsidy justice” while generating hard currency and improving Iran’s travel image abroad.