Mohammadreza Aref said Wednesday that a specialized task force has been reviewing and refining the government’s new gasoline policy for the past seven months. “Initial and minimal measures have been taken in line with the strategy to reduce imports,” he said.

According to the government’s official news portal, Aref said the 14th government has followed its approved plans under the Seventh Development Plan, as well as presidential policies and election pledges, since taking office. “Structural reforms have been a priority from the start. Our strategy is to ensure government institutions are limited to what is necessary, efficient, dynamic, and productive while maintaining relative economic stability,” he added.

Aref noted that protecting citizens’ livelihoods and implementing compensatory mechanisms such as ration cards were considered in all structural reforms and pricing measures. “Reducing and controlling inflation and boosting economic growth have remained priorities despite the challenges at the start of our term, including an aggressive war imposed by the Israeli regime with U.S. support,” he said, noting that the government has made progress in these areas.

Costs in the Country Tied to Gasoline

On gasoline strategy, Aref warned that import pricing decisions could have serious inflationary effects. “Gasoline costs are so ingrained in society that any misstep could put pressure on citizens,” he said.

He said the task force has extensively studied the new gasoline policy and emphasized that zero gasoline imports remain one of the government’s core strategies. “We have engaged experts, officials, and all relevant agencies to communicate and implement this policy. If necessary, adjustments will be made during implementation,” he said.

Gasoline Rationing System Maintained

The gasoline policy covers government, luxury, imported high-end vehicles, free trade zones, and domestically produced zero-mileage cars. Aref said the main 160-liter gasoline quota will remain at 1,500 and 3,000 tomans, depending on domestic production. Additional consumption above the quota will cost 5,000 tomans per liter.

He stressed that the policy does not involve the import of super gasoline. “Under the Seventh Development Plan, private-sector permits have been issued for super gasoline at market rates,” he said, noting that pricing will be fair and based on production costs.

Revenues from Gasoline Policy Will Support Citizens

Aref emphasized that revenues generated from the gasoline policy will be allocated to citizens’ welfare. “The government’s strategy over the past year has been to implement structural and price reforms while channeling the proceeds to the public. Under this gasoline plan, proceeds will be distributed systematically through ration cards,” he said.

He thanked officials involved in the initiative for their efforts, noting that gasoline imports cost the government 60 cents per liter. “During the first 12-day war, daily gasoline consumption exceeded 190 million liters, yet gasoline was made available to the public at 1,500 and 3,000 tomans,” he said, adding that public support is crucial to continue the plan.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of oil, interior, and economic affairs and finance; the head of the Plan and Budget Organization; the government secretariat secretary; the head of the Strategic Energy Management Organization; and other officials. An executive committee under the gasoline policy task force was established, and participants discussed assessments, suggestions, and strategies for implementing the plan.