Lebanon’s Hezbollah says it will begin importing fuel from Iran

Gas stations in Lebanon

Hezbollah militia, backed by Iran, said will start to import gasoline and diesel from Iran, its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said on Sunday.

Lebanon is experiencing an acute fuel shortage that has caused long queues at gas stations and extended power cuts to up to 22 hours a day.

Hospitals, bakeries and other essential centers have said that dwindling stocks will cause them to shut down.

“I assure you, yes, God willing, we will definitely bring diesel and gasoline from Iran,” Nasrallah said. He said the government was no longer able to provide fuel.

In June, Nasrallah said the logistics needed for such a step were in place and that Hezbollah could bring in the fuel while bypassing the central bank, to avoid breaching US sanctions.

He said on Sunday that Iran had assured him it would stand by Lebanon, and he blamed the Lebanese government and American influence for a lack of response to the Iranian offer.

“It’s settled,” Nasrallah said.

He said he would inform people of the timeline in the next two to three days.

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