Iran officially kicked off a long-anticipated program for gasoline exports with a shipment to neighboring Afghanistan as authorities seek to offset the impacts of US sanctions on the oil industry through the sale of refined products.

The Fars News Agency said on Monday that a first consignment of gasoline for export will start trading in Iran’s Energy Exchange (IRENEX).
It said some 10,000 tons of gasoline with an octane number of 91 will be available for sale to Afghanistan through IRENEX on Wednesday, adding that the trade will take place both in the Iranian rial and in major international currencies.
IRENEX Chief Seyyed Ali Hosseini had said earlier in the day that gasoline exports would begin at the latest by August 21, as Iran expects the launch of a third phase of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery, a major facility located west of the port city of Bandar Abbas.
“Based on the schedule, it is expected that Iran could export its first gasoline cargo through the energy bourse’s export ring,” said Hosseini.