Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged citizens to reduce petrol consumption amid shortages caused by a U.S. naval blockade, officials said Tuesday. The blockade, imposed by Washington in response to Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has disrupted Iran’s ability to import sufficient fuel to meet domestic demand.

In a televised address, Ghalibaf acknowledged that excessive fuel use is partly the responsibility of Iranian industries but stressed the need for citizens to conserve gasoline. “We need to save gasoline in our consumption,” he said, highlighting the importance of reducing reliance on limited supplies.

The U.S. blockade targets Iranian ports to restrict fuel shipments after Iran attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz—an essential shipping route for global oil and gas exports—in a regional escalation. The move has led to fuel shortages within Iran, causing long lines at petrol stations, particularly in the capital, Tehran.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah noted last week that domestic fuel production falls short of demand and the ongoing blockade prevents imports, exacerbating the supply deficit. Meanwhile, the office of the president’s chief of staff confirmed that the government is evaluating petrol rationing measures to manage consumption more effectively.

The fuel scarcity underscores the broader economic pressures on Iran amid escalating tensions with the United States. Officials have appealed to both industry and the public to contribute to conservation efforts as the government navigates the impact of international sanctions and maritime restrictions.