The Iranian government plans to gradually reduce the second fuel quota while maintaining its long-term goal of transitioning to liberalized gasoline prices. Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said no reduction was planned for the first gasoline quota.
Fuel savings and price reform
Aref said the two-stage quota regulations had saved approximately 10 million liters of fuel. He said structural gasoline price reforms had been suspended because of the ongoing conflict with the United States, but added that the long-term strategy of price liberalization remained in place.
Internet restrictions to be lifted gradually
Aref said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had decided to end internet filtering, adding that implementation would take time because institutions and councils legally responsible for the process would need to be involved.
Aref said internet restrictions would be eased gradually and that improving service quality was among the government’s priorities.
Aref calls for more effective coverage by Iranian media
Aref also called on Iranian media not to remain limited to a defensive posture and to adopt a more proactive editorial approach. Arguing that the first outlet to tell a story gains an advantage, Aref urged the media to take a more active approach to news coverage.
Economic decline and the conflict timeline
Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement on Saturday that Iran’s economic situation had deteriorated since the war began. Pezeshkian said the decline in oil revenues and the destruction of infrastructure had contributed to the deterioration.
At the end of February, Israel and the United States launched a surprise attack targeting Iran’s military, nuclear and energy infrastructure. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets across the region.
In mid-June, Iran signed a memorandum of understanding with the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar. The memorandum aimed to end active hostilities and begin talks toward a final agreement.
However, the talks stalled after disagreements over maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for Gulf oil and natural gas exports.
