On Monday (Dec. 18), the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company announced that about two-thirds of the gas stations across the country were disrupted due to a technical problem caused by ‘conspiracy of enemies. To resolve the issue, petrol stations temporarily went offline in the country.

According to The Iran Project, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji said that about two thirds of the petrol stations across Iran were disrupted, adding that more 1,650 gas stations, which amount to over 30% of the pumps in the country, remain in service.

The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company in a statement said that the disruption caused by the "conspiracy of enemies to overshadow the welfare and comfort of the people."

Some specialized working groups have been set up to solve the problem at the shortest possible time while the fuel supply will be carried out through an offline system until further notice, the statement reads.

Iran has been using an online system to ration subsidized fuel since November 2019 when the government ordered a series of price hikes for gasoline and diesel.

The system is aimed at optimizing the use of fuel in Iran and preventing its smuggling into neighboring countries where prices are much higher.

Moreover, Owji earlier noted that outside interference was a possible cause.

Iran's Civil Defense Organization asserted that it is examining all the possible options, including interference and hacking, but it is not currently possible to verify the allegations made by the enemies.

Iran Supreme Council of Cyberspace declared that it was possibly launched from abroad.

Reportedly, a hacking group that Tehran claims of having links to Israel alleged it carried out the attack which disrupted services at petrol stations across Iran on Monday.

Iran's TV stated a group dubbed Gonjeshke Darande or "Predatory Sparrow" had claimed it was behind the disruption. Israeli local media outlets also reported the claim.

Answering to a question regarding the cyberattacks, Israeli government spokesperson Tal Heinrich told a press briefing: "We have nothing to say about Iran's claims."

Iranian media said that the hacker group had in the past claimed cyberattacks against Iranian petrol stations, rail networks and steel factories.

A similar nationwide technical malfunction occurred in 2021 that shut down a government system managing fuel subsidies in Iran.

Iranian official also assured the problem will be resolved within hours.

The Iranian official have dismissed the claims that the disruption was linked to plans to increase the gas price, stressed that, "No price surge is on agenda at all."