Speaking Wednesday at a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Oil Ministry, Pezeshkian said the round-the-clock efforts of managers, engineers and workers in the oil sector ensured the uninterrupted flow of production, fuel distribution and energy supply during the recent 40-day conflict.

According to the president, the government is closely monitoring the country’s energy situation, including oil production and exports, fuel supply and developments in the gas and petrochemical sectors. He described the efforts of oil and petrochemical workers during the conflict as “selfless and tireless,” adding that their performance deserved national appreciation.

Pezeshkian warned, however, that Iran continues to face limitations in gasoline and energy supplies because of external pressures and damage to energy infrastructure. He urged the public to cooperate by reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and adopting more efficient energy-use patterns.

The president criticized excessive use of single-occupancy vehicles and called for broader use of public transportation, saying savings from lower fuel consumption should be directed toward improving livelihoods, strengthening welfare programs and supporting low-income households rather than financing gasoline imports.

“The government cannot spend national resources importing fuel for unnecessary consumption,” Pezeshkian said, stressing that priority must remain on public welfare and productive sectors of the economy.

He also called for revisions to previous gas network expansion policies, saying the country should avoid commitments beyond its actual production capacity. In regions where alternative fuels are practical, he said, uncontrolled expansion of the gas grid is unnecessary and should be reassessed based on efficiency and expert analysis.

Pezeshkian further instructed the Oil Ministry to prioritize natural gas allocation to productive and high-value industries and to develop a provincial quota system based on the actual needs of each region to ensure stable energy supply for strategic sectors.

The president also emphasized continued government support for the petrochemical industry, describing it as a key source of export revenue, employment and economic stability. He called for stronger oversight of petrochemical distribution to prevent hoarding and profiteering and urged maximum use of the country’s rail network for petrochemical exports to reduce costs and improve security.

During the meeting, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad presented a report on the oil industry’s operations during the conflict, including restoration efforts at damaged facilities and measures taken to maintain stable fuel and energy supplies nationwide.