Esmaeil Seqab Esfahani told reporters on the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting that citizens must be included in efforts to improve energy efficiency.

“If we say billions of dollars are lost to smuggling, and if we say various sectors suffer waste because of low efficiency, then we must boost productivity and involve people in this process from the start,” he said.

He added that a large share of the savings generated in different parts of the country—especially through reduced smuggling—should directly benefit the public. Such an approach, he said, could build national support and motivation for major efficiency initiatives.

Addressing recent public discussions about energy carriers, Seqab Esfahani reiterated that there is no cause for concern.

“The model we are presenting leaves no room for worry, and the government has no intention of creating surprises,” he said. “Whenever the program is finalized after internal government coordination, we will explain it transparently to the public, gather their feedback, and then move to implementation.”

He said he had held discussions with all ministers—from economic to education officials—over the past two meetings, and stressed that, contrary to speculation, “no surprise decisions on energy carriers are on the agenda, and no implementation date has been set.”