TEHRAN, Sep 02 (Alliance News): Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has urged citizens to reduce petrol consumption as the country faces difficulties meeting fuel demand amid a US naval blockade and ongoing military tensions.
Speaking on television, Ghalibaf said high fuel consumption was partly linked to industrial factors but stressed that the public also needed to cooperate in conserving petrol.
“We need to save gasoline in our consumption,” he said, calling for collective responsibility to manage the country’s available fuel supplies.
Washington imposed a blockade of Iranian ports after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipments from the Gulf. The United States has also introduced new sanctions aimed at putting further pressure on Iran’s economy.
Long queues have been reported at petrol stations in Tehran in recent days. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said domestic petrol production was insufficient to meet demand and that the blockade had prevented Iran from importing additional fuel.
Iranian officials have also indicated that petrol quotas could be reviewed as authorities seek to manage supplies.
Ghalibaf said conserving fuel would require public cooperation and argued that Iran could manage with its domestic production if petrol was used more efficiently.
Amid growing economic pressure caused by inflation and the war, Ghalibaf also announced plans to expand government subsidies through the electronic food subsidy programme.
He said the government and parliament planned to increase financial support, particularly for lower-income groups facing the greatest economic difficulties.
Iran has faced mounting economic and political pressure since demonstrations over economic conditions erupted in December and later developed into broader anti-government protests that peaked in January before being brought under control.
Ghalibaf said protecting public welfare remained a priority for the government, adding that officials should work to reduce economic pressure and prevent further public dissatisfaction.
