Iran Urges People to Dress Warmly to Cut Gas Use

Iran's capital Tehran seen on January 18, amid a cold snap in the country. (AFP)
Iran's capital Tehran seen on January 18, amid a cold snap in the country. (AFP)
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Iran Urges People to Dress Warmly to Cut Gas Use

Iran's capital Tehran seen on January 18, amid a cold snap in the country. (AFP)
Iran's capital Tehran seen on January 18, amid a cold snap in the country. (AFP)

Iran's oil ministry on Sunday urged people to wear warm clothes to reduce a surging demand for gas, as people turn up their heaters to cope with bitterly cold winter temperatures.

Iran has the world's second largest gas reserves after Russia, and the fourth largest oil reserves. Gas is almost free in Iran because it is heavily subsidized.

"Gas consumption can be managed by wearing warm clothes and turning off heating appliances when leaving home and work," Oil Minister Javad Owji said Sunday, according to the ministry's Shana news agency.

"We ask people to save gas consumption so that we can pass the next 10 days without any problem."

On Thursday, Iran's Meteorological Organization issued weather warnings about low temperatures in several cities, including the capital Tehran.

"Even though, thanks to God and to the efforts of the employees of the oil industry, the gas network is stable, the continuation of this situation requires the cooperation of dear compatriots and consumption management," he added.

Owji said that in past 24 hours, the use of 692 million cubic meters of gas had been registered in "domestic, commercial and non-major industry sectors".

The record consumption was 748 million cubic meters on November 22, 2021.



Khamenei: Enemies Seek to Sow Discord in Iran

This handout picture released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 17, 2025, shows him greeting attendants during a meeting in Tehran. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 17, 2025, shows him greeting attendants during a meeting in Tehran. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
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Khamenei: Enemies Seek to Sow Discord in Iran

This handout picture released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 17, 2025, shows him greeting attendants during a meeting in Tehran. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 17, 2025, shows him greeting attendants during a meeting in Tehran. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)

Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has warned against what he called “soft war” tactics employed by enemies in a bid to sow discord within the country.

“Today, we have no concerns regarding hard defense or the enemy's military threats ... Iran possesses strong capabilities to counter such threats, ensuring a high level of security for its people,” said Khamenei during a speech in Tehran, according to AFP.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had dealt a “mighty blow to Iran's terror axis” and vowed to “finish the job” against Iran with US support.

Khamenei said Iran's “enemies” -- referring to Israel and the United States -- sought to create problems through “soft war threats.”

Iran has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media such as Facebook, X and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks.

Khamenei had repeatedly urged the government to impose controls over Iran’s cyberspace.