RoydadNaft –  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei devoted a significant portion of his Thursday night speech to domestic economic challenges, singling out excessive consumption of gasoline and natural gas as a critical drain on the country’s energy economy and calling on citizens to eliminate waste as a patriotic duty.

“If this enormous waste is stopped, the country’s conditions will be much, much better,” the Leader said, framing the issue alongside his broader call for unity and continued support for President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration.

The remarks come amid chronic energy imbalances in Iran, where subsidized fuel prices have long encouraged over-consumption and smuggling, while winter gas shortages regularly threaten both households and industry.

Ayatollah Khamenei combined the energy warning with praise for the Basij volunteer force on the eve of its annual commemoration week, describing the Basij as a nationwide network of motivated citizens ready to serve in every field — from defense to economic production — and urging officials to work “with the spirit of a Basiji.”

On foreign policy, the Leader reaffirmed Iran’s decisive victory in what he called the “12-day war,” stating that both the United States and Israel “came, committed aggression, got beaten and returned empty-handed,” achieving none of their objectives. He highlighted the unprecedented national unity displayed during the conflict, noting that even some regime critics rallied behind the system.

The Supreme Leader also strongly denied rumors of back-channel messages to Washington, calling such claims “pure lies,” and reiterated Iran’s refusal to engage with an administration he accused of enabling Israeli crimes and global interference for oil and resources.

The televised address concluded with four key recommendations to the nation: preserving national unity, supporting the government, avoiding all forms of waste — particularly gasoline and gas — and strengthening spiritual ties through prayer.