Iran Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigns

Tehran: Iran's Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned from his post, with President Masoud Pezeshkian accepting his resignation, an Iranian presidential aide said.

Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications at the Iranian president's office, announced the development in a post on X on Sunday. He later told state-run IRIB TV that Paknejad had earlier submitted his resignation citing personal reasons. Pezeshkian had initially rejected the resignation but subsequently agreed to accept it, Tabatabaei said.

Hamid Bovard, deputy petroleum minister and managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), has been appointed acting petroleum minister under a decree issued by Pezeshkian, he added.

Paknejad took charge as Iran's petroleum minister in August 2024 after securing a vote of confidence from Parliament.

His resignation comes as Iran remains locked in an ongoing conflict with the US, which has disrupted energy supplies and maritime traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran tightened restrictions on the waterway on February 28, preventing the safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the US following joint strikes by the two countries on Iranian territory. The developments have severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil exports.

Separately, Iran is reviewing the US response to Tehran's recent proposal for ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said in Tehran on Sunday.

According to semi-official Fars news agency, Gharibabadi said Washington had conveyed its views on the Iranian proposal through mediators.

He said the proposal was the "seven-day plan" presented by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to the other side in New York late last month.

"The US views are currently being reviewed inside the country through the appropriate channels," Gharibabadi said, adding that Iran would convey its final position through the necessary channels once the review is complete.

He also said Iran was simultaneously making preparations to deal with any other possible scenario.

With IANS inputs