Atthaphol Orders Immediate Diesel Price Freeze in Response to US-Iran Crisis

The Ministry of Energy is urgently managing global oil price disruptions by calling an emergency meeting of the Fuel Oil Fund Committee to immediately freeze diesel prices in response to the US-Iran crisis. Energy Minister Atthaphol Rerkpiboon, as chairman of the Fuel Oil Fund Committee, revealed he has urgently ordered a meeting to discuss the conflict situation between the US and Iran, with concerns that the United States may soon launch an attack on Iran. After President Donald Trump ordered a major military buildup in the Middle East, with potential military action if nuclear negotiations with Iran fail, the government is seeking to prevent impacts on the country's economic recovery. The meeting today (February 20, 2026) approved reducing the oil fund rate for diesel by 45 satang per liter, changing from collecting 15 satang to providing a 30 satang per liter subsidy. This will keep diesel retail prices stable at around 30 baht per liter to prevent negative impacts on people's cost of living. The Ministry of Energy will closely monitor the tense situation between the US and Iran, as the conflict has caused global crude oil prices to fluctuate, with Dubai crude oil prices increasing by 3 US dollars per barrel this week.