Iranian minister says West Asia security requires foreign troop withdrawal

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said that security in West Asia requires the withdrawal of foreign troops. He made the remarks while speaking at the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram, India, on June 25–26.

Paknejad emphasized that repeated attacks on Iran’s oil, gas, refining, and petrochemical infrastructure are not merely assaults on one country’s facilities but constitute "a blind war against global energy security." He noted that these attacks have caused damage to energy installations, casualties among oil industry workers, environmental impacts, disrupted supply chains, and affected the livelihoods of thousands of families in the Persian Gulf region. The repercussions have contributed to energy market instability, higher prices for raw materials and manufactured goods, and increased economic pressure and living costs for civilians worldwide.

The minister described the attacks as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, calling for their condemnation at all levels. He argued that the global energy system faces growing challenges and uncertainties, including rising demand, geopolitical risks, market volatility, climate change, investment constraints, and the need to ensure universal access to affordable energy. Addressing these issues requires international cooperation and pragmatic policymaking rather than unilateral action.

Citing the latest OPEC World Oil Outlook, Paknejad said oil and natural gas are expected to account for more than 53 percent of global energy demand through 2050, with no peak in global oil demand anticipated before then. He added that fossil fuels remain central to global electricity generation, transportation, and industrial activity, while natural gas continues to play a key role in the energy transition. Achieving a fair, orderly, and inclusive energy transition will require increased global investment in the oil and gas sector as well as carbon-reduction technologies.

Highlighting BRICS’ role, Paknejad said the bloc possesses exceptional potential for cooperation given its significant share of global energy production, consumption, reserves, and innovation capacity. He called for deeper collaboration in oil and gas, renewable energy, electricity networks, hydrogen, energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, and digitalization.

The minister noted that Iran, despite years of sanctions, has continued to expand its energy infrastructure. Iran’s annual natural gas production exceeded 280 billion cubic meters in 2025, accounting for roughly 7 percent of global output. Oil production capacity has reached 4.2 million barrels per day, while refining capacity stands at 2.4 million barrels per day. Iran’s extensive pipeline network provides significant capacity for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas. Electricity generation capacity has surpassed 100,000 megawatts and continues to grow through both fossil-fuel and non-fossil-fuel sources.

Paknejad proposed establishing a "BRICS Energy Security Partnership" under the bloc’s 2025–2030 Energy Cooperation Roadmap. The initiative would focus on strengthening resilience and security across the energy value chain through regular information-sharing, protection of critical energy infrastructure, improved emergency response capabilities, investment in strategic energy projects, and support for uninterrupted energy flows among member states.

"Achieving secure, affordable, reliable, sustainable, and inclusive energy depends on the collective efforts of all of us," Paknejad said, reiterating Iran’s readiness to work closely with all BRICS members toward that goal. According to Mehr News, the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting is being held in Gurugram, India, on June 25–26. BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.