Iran parliament speaker urges cutting gas consumption as winter nears

FILE PHOTO: Gas pipeline.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf on Sunday called for a campaign to cut gas consumption by at least 10 per cent, with officials anticipating shortages as winter approaches.

While a major producer, Iran has long suffered shortages of natural gas, essential for powering heating systems, which have been exacerbated by war with the United States and Israel that began in February.

During the most intense phase of the fighting, which lasted nearly 40 days, the two countries struck key Iranian infrastructure, including natural gas refineries, according to Tehran.

Winter in Iran often sees temperatures drop below freezing, especially in the country’s north.

“To get through the approaching winter, a nationwide effort is essential … to reduce gas consumption by at least 10 per cent,” said Ghalibaf in a video carried by Iranian media.

“Anyone who saves gas, regardless of the amount, will immediately receive the corresponding proceeds in their bank account, allowing everyone to see the tangible impact of those savings on their household budget.”

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Earlier in October, First Vice-President Mohammad Aref said the government anticipated a daily “gas shortfall of 100 million to 250 million cubic metres during the cold season because of the damage caused by the war,” according to the official IRNA news agency.

He added that he hoped to restore the supply of around 100 million cubic metres by the start of winter.

An April ceasefire brought an end to the initial phase of intense bombardment, but the two sides have continued to vie for control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas used to travel.

Iran has claimed control over the strait since the outbreak of the war and has regularly targeted vessels that attempt crossings without its authorisation.

In response, Washington has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports and in August announced what it called an “economic asphyxiation” campaign on Iran aimed at strangling its economy.