TEHRAN June 15(Shana)--Iran imported nearly 6 million liters a day of gasoline during the first quarter of the current calendar year which started on March 21, a top official said.

“Gasoline imports vary in different months of spring..., but if we want to announce an average, less than 6 ml/d of gasoline was imported during the first three months of the year,” Mohsen Qamsari, director of international affairs at National Iranian Oil Company said.

He said Iran is purchasing only euro-4 gasoline despite sanctions which target fuel.

Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum plans to distribute 23 million liters of euro-4 gasoline in the current calendar year to March 2016.

Iran’s oldest oil refinery in the southwestern city of Abadan would account for 4 million liters.

Arak refinery in central Iran will be producing 16 ml of euro-4 gasoline after its overhaul.

Euro-4 gasoline distribution lies within the framework of a government directive with a view to curbing air pollution.

Euro-4 gasoil and gasoline distribution started in major cities of Tehran, Arak and Karaj last calendar year. Tabriz refinery started distributing 1ml/d of euro-4 gasoline in the northwestern city of Tabriz last summer.

Last month, the Iranian government has scrapped subsidized gasoline rationing system to unify the petrol and gasoil prices.

Each liter of regular gasoline sells at IRR 10,000 and each liter of premium gasoline at IRR 12,000.

Each dollar is traded for nearly IRR 29,000 officially and for around IRR 33,000 on open market.

By SHANA