Speaking Monday at a meeting with heads and representatives of relevant agencies reviewing last year’s outcomes of the Anti-Smuggling of Goods and Currency Headquarters, Pezeshkian said, “The fight against fuel smuggling is only effective when it addresses the origin of the violations.”

He added that cracking down on small-scale offenders not only fails to solve the problem but can also create social tensions. “Action must focus on the primary actors and main sources, regardless of any affiliations, and especially on those inside the system who intervene in removing fuel from the official distribution network,” he said.

The president noted that advances in technology and monitoring equipment now make it possible to track production, distribution, and consumption accurately. “Designing and implementing a proper structure is the most effective way to manage consumption and prevent smuggling. Organizing existing mechanisms for managing the road transport fleet is also essential,” he said.

According to reports presented at the meeting by officials from the Anti-Smuggling Headquarters, the Ministries of Oil, Intelligence, Energy, and Roads and Urban Development, since the directive was issued and implemented, physical discoveries of smuggled fuel have increased by 764 million liters. This not only halted the 4% annual growth in fuel consumption but also reduced total consumption by 4%, bringing it back to 1402 levels. The achievement has also eliminated the country’s need to import diesel in 1404.