Kerman National Distribution Company of Petroleum Products announced that the plan to supply gasoline at a refinery open market rate—set to be implemented from early Thursday morning at a price of 87,200 tomans per liter—was halted before it began.

Ahmad Salari-far, managing director of the Kerman distribution company of petroleum products, said that this decision was made after the governor of Kerman held discussions with national officials and due to the need for further review of the fuel consumption management program and measures to counter smuggling. According to him, until further notice, gasoline at stations across the province will be supplied as per the previous routine.

The halt of this plan was announced only a few hours after the deputy governor of Kerman said that 204 stations were ready to implement it. Under this plan, open market refinery gasoline priced at more than 17 times the current rate of the station card was to be sold, and in addition to the national quota, 40 liters of provincial quota would also be allocated to residents of Kerman.

Provincial officials have not provided any explanation about the time of further review or the possibility of the plan being implemented again. It is also unclear whether this program was part of a national pilot scheme or designed solely for Kerman province.