This comes amid severe shortages hitting the sanctions-choked as the US continues its economic war. According to Reuters:

The shortages worsened after seven oil tankers on their way to Syria were intercepted in "terrorist attacks" with two of the vessels delayed for over a month in the Red Sea before loading, Arnous was quoted as saying in state media without elaborating.

No details were given as to the timeline of the tanker intercepts or who was exactly behind it, but the strong suggestion was that the 'targeting' was due to US sanctions enforcement.

"Prime Minister Hussein Arnous did not specify how Syria would secure extra supplies but said they had already imported 1.2 million tons of Iranian crude oil that cost along with petroleum products in the last six months around $820 million," Reuters continued.

Prior to American forces and Syrian Kurdish proxy militias occupying Syria oil and gas fields in Deir Ezzor, Syria was largely energy independent - having just enough to cover its domestic needs. But over the last couple years miles-long lines have become the "norm" outside gas stations due to the extreme shortages.