Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf said Tuesday at a news conference about the government’s plan to introduce three gasoline price tiers: “In my view, changing the gasoline price by 3,000 to 5,000 tomans will not affect smuggling or reduce consumption. But this is the government’s decision, and naturally we have no opposition. We will cooperate where possible.”

He added that one issue was identified in the government’s recent gasoline directive. The matter was reviewed in the Council for the Conformity of Regulations and reported to the government.

Air Pollution Is Manageable

Qalibaf emphasized that air pollution can be brought under control, noting that 82 percent of Tehran’s air pollution today comes from mobile sources. “A few days ago, I addressed air pollution in an open session, and we tasked the Agriculture and Environment Committee with conducting a detailed review and submitting an accurate report so Parliament can fully exercise its oversight role,” he said.

He added that reducing air pollution does not require unimaginable investments or untested solutions. “A clear example is Beijing, a large city that was once among the most polluted in the world but became a clean city in less than a decade.”

Qalibaf said that about nine years ago, after numerous technical meetings and detailed scientific assessments, national research bodies confirmed that 82 percent of Tehran’s air pollution originates from mobile sources — from aging cars and trucks that consume 40 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers to motorcycles and vehicles lacking proper standards and consuming excessive fuel.