While Iran’s steel industry has achieved an impressive 90% localization of its equipment, the primary challenge today is the transition from mere “domestic production” to “smart modernization.” Energy inefficiency, aging equipment, and reliance on outdated technologies are sounding an alarm for the industry’s future. According to experts, a steel plant requires comprehensive equipment renewal approximately every 15 years. Adopting process optimizations, such as the direct transfer of billets from casting to rolling without reheating—a practice implemented in Japan—could significantly reduce energy consumption. Given today’s energy constraints, cheap energy is no longer a competitive advantage. The survival and competitive edge of Iranian steel now depend on the courage to embrace new technologies and redefine efficiency strategies.