Iran kept oil exports flowing during US-Israeli aggression despite 550 strikes on Kharg: Minister

Iranian Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad has highlighted the uninterrupted export of crude oil, the rapid restoration of damaged facilities, and efforts to maintain production and supply despite US-Israeli attacks on key energy infrastructure, particularly on southern Kharg Island. Speaking in an interview reviewing the Oil Ministry’s performance over the past two years, Paknejad said the ministry continued development projects while managing the country’s strategic reserves, production imbalances, and challenges in the South Pars gas field. “After the end of the 12-day war [in June 2025], 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.” “Fortunately, during the period following the 12-day war, we obtained all the necessary approvals and put the project into operation. So far, we have practically achieved around 70,000 to 80,000 barrels per day of that 250,000-barrel capacity,” he noted. The minister said the oil industry faced significant challenges during the recent 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. Paknejad said 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. The oil minister said petrochemical facilities in Mahshahr and Asaluyeh also 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,” Paknejad said. Minister: Iran has bypassed US naval blockade to keep oil deliveries flowing Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad says Iran Crude exports continued despite the blockade Paknejad described the continuation of crude oil exports during the aggression as one of the oil industry’s major achievements. “One particularly important point, which I consider one of the lasting achievements of Iran’s oil industry, is the continuation of exports under crisis conditions. He added that during the period of the 40-day war “our crude oil exports were not interrupted for even one hour.” More than 550 strikes hit Kharg Island The minister highlighted the role of Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export hub, during the attacks. “Kharg Island, with an area of around 23 to 24 square kilometers, was hit more than 550 times, which is a remarkable figure. Nevertheless, our colleagues continued loading tankers with determination even under bombardment.” He added that crude exports remained in good condition during that period and faced no serious restrictions, while oil prices also increased during the same period. Paknejad also outlined measures taken to overcome maritime restrictions imposed during the war on Iran. “At the first stage, a line was defined between Ras al-Hadd and Pakistan’s Gwadar port. Through extensive measures, we were able to overcome this blockade, enabling the sale and delivery of oil to customers in very distant areas, thousands of kilometers away from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. “Although we faced restrictions on transporting oil beyond the blockade line, we succeeded in making use of the opportunities available,” he said. The oil minister said the country had also achieved record levels of upstream crude gas production and increased its oil-processing capacity. “One of the lasting achievements of our colleagues at the National Iranian Oil and Gas companies has been setting a record for raw gas production in the upstream sector and at oil platforms.” He also noted that the ministry has taken major steps toward increasing crude oil processing capacity. Regarding shared fields, the minister said Iran’s production capacity has increased significantly, exceeding 300,000 barrels. “Over the past seven to eight months, in addition to making up for lost capacity, we have continued round-the-clock efforts to accelerate projects, with our main focus on increasing production through major projects,” Paknejad said. Iran announces discovery of major gas field in southern Fars province Iran has announced the discovery of more than 7.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in a new field in southern Fars province, with around 5.7 trillion cubic feet considered recoverable. He added that another major achievement had been the discovery of approximately 17 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of new in-place gas reserves in the Pazan and Takht fields in southern Fars province. The minister also pointed to the end of diesel imports as one of the country’s major energy developments this year. “Until early 1404 [March 2025-March 2026], the country was an importer of diesel, just as it was of gasoline. However, through technical measures at refineries and increased refinery feedstock, I am proud to announce that we have not imported diesel for several months now,” he stressed.