In a report from Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, The New York Times wrote that lines of cars at Iran’s fuel stations even in the middle of the night have become a common sight.

Based on The New York Times report, Iran’s refining capacity has long been unable to meet the country’s demand for gasoline, and the U.S. maritime blockade in the southern ports has cut imports completely.

The New York Times wrote that the Islamic Republic government fears the reduction of heavily subsidized gasoline, because in the past such a move has led to widespread protests.

Amirhossein Khalqi, an economist based in Iran, told this newspaper: “When the government lacks legitimacy and sufficient resources—especially in the midst of war—the question is how we can continue the current situation while we no longer have other resources to sustain it.”