Iran official clarifies fuel quota transfer to bank cards

Mortaza Zamaniyan, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, has addressed recent speculation regarding potential gasoline price increases in Iran. He clarified that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is not responsible for determining energy carrier rates. Instead, the ministry is focused on implementing a government mandate to transfer fuel quotas from fuel cards to bank cards to increase policy transparency and flexibility.

Zamaniyan emphasized that decisions regarding fuel quotas and rates are made by a multi-agency working group involving policy, executive, security, and media sectors, rather than a single entity. He stated that the current project to move quotas to bank cards does not imply a change in fuel rates or quotas.

Separately, Ahmad Motahari-Asl, the Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, argued that managing fuel consumption cannot be achieved solely through price hikes. He stressed that effective energy management requires strengthening public transportation infrastructure and urban fleets to provide citizens with viable alternatives to private vehicles.