Iran urges energy savings as US naval blockade raises pressure

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has urged the public to reduce energy consumption, describing “conservation and saving” as both a general principle and “a religious duty,” while downplaying the impact of the United States naval blockade on Iran.

“The enemy will achieve nothing through a naval blockade of Iran,” Paknejad said on Wednesday, April 29.

He added that there was “no worry” regarding the stable supply and distribution of fuel, noting that oil sector personnel are working around the clock to prevent any disruption to services.

“We saw during the war that many countries resorted to managing and reducing consumption due to fuel shortages,” Paknejad said.

At the same time, Iranian authorities have begun implementing measures to prevent potential shortages of fuel and essential goods. Last week, the government launched a broad energy conservation campaign in response to the blockade, according to local media reports.

Under these measures, government offices across the country have been instructed to cut electricity consumption by up to 70% after 1 p.m. Households are also being encouraged to reduce usage, with incentives such as discounts on electricity bills offered to those who lower their consumption.

The disruption to shipping — and consequently imports — has further strained Iran’s already fragile economy. According to Hadi Kahalzadeh of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the situation is “placing 50% of Iranian jobs at risk and pushing an additional 5% of the population into poverty.”

Iran’s economy had already been under significant pressure prior to the conflict. Income per capita declined from approximately $8,000 in 2012 to around $5,000 in 2024, amid the combined effects of inflation, corruption, and international sanctions.

By Tamilla Hasanova