Iran's Oil Minister Says Crude Exports Continued During US-Israeli Aggression

Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said that the country continued to export crude oil during the recent US-Israeli aggression, which began on February 28, despite significant damage to oil infrastructure. In an interview reviewing the Oil Ministry's performance over the past two years, Paknejad detailed the challenges faced and the measures taken to maintain production and exports.

Paknejad noted that after the end of the 12-day war in June 2025, the country was in a special situation, but the ministry continued development projects while managing strategic reserves, production imbalances, and challenges in the South Pars gas field. "After the end of the 12-day war, the country was in a special situation, but while continuing to manage the crisis, we pursued plans to increase oil and gas production with determination," he said. He added that the ministry obtained all necessary approvals and put projects into operation, achieving around 70,000 to 80,000 barrels per day of a targeted 250,000-barrel capacity increase.

The minister described the impact of the US-Israeli aggression, which began on February 28, including attacks on oil storage facilities and loading infrastructure. "During the 40-day war, the oil industry suffered further damage. On March 8, Tehran's oil storage facilities were attacked again. In addition to the main storage facilities, the loading facilities were also targeted. At the same time, one of the oil storage facilities in Alborz province was hit, creating a very worrying situation," Paknejad said. He also recalled attacks on four gas refineries in the Asaluyeh area.

Despite these attacks, Paknejad said that technical expertise within the National Iranian Gas Company and the National Iranian Oil Company enabled the industry to quickly restore part of its lost capacity. "We were able to restore parts of the lost capacity within a short period, in just a matter of hours. A significant portion of production capacity has now been restored, and the process is continuing," he said.

Paknejad also mentioned that petrochemical facilities in Mahshahr and Asaluyeh came under attack, with utility units supplying steam, electricity, and nitrogen to processing facilities among the targets. "However, through cooperation with other government bodies, particularly the Ministry of Energy, the necessary plans were made during the war through joint meetings, and the situation was largely managed," he added.

According to Mehr News Agency, Paknejad's remarks underscore the resilience of Iran's oil industry in the face of external aggression, with exports continuing despite the challenging circumstances.