Iran's industry minister says basic goods and production are the priority for currency allocation, and that five years of energy shortfalls have kept industry from using full capacity

Mohammad Atabak, Iran's minister of industry, mine and trade, said on Monday, 27 July 2026 (5 Mordad 1405), that basic goods and production are the priority for foreign-currency allocation. Saying that energy shortfalls over the past five years have prevented industry from using its full production capacity, he added that the government is actively pursuing the removal of production obstacles, the provision of currency and support for investment. The remarks were carried by Mehr News Agency.

The prioritisation of currency allocation comes as the gap between official and free-market exchange rates has become a central issue in Iran's economy. On the same day, the deputy for international business promotion at Iran's Trade Development Organization said administratively set exchange rates have locked up trade, and the General Inspection Organization reported identifying 225 people with unfulfilled foreign-currency obligations above 50 million euros.

Energy shortfalls have also repeatedly affected output this year. Power cuts at industrial plants have become a labour-market challenge, and Tehran's peak-hour electricity demand has fallen by more than 10 percent under incentive schemes.