Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government meeting, he
noted that some segments of the population have livelihood concerns but pledged
that the government will do what it can to address them.
Paknejad said what followed in recent days was not merely protests but
acts of destruction and disruption.
He claimed some of those involved in unrest are not representative of
the public and are linked to foreign-backed schemes.
The minister addressed the role of intermediaries known as “trustees”
in oil sales, insisting they are not a new phenomenon and have long been part
of the process.
He declined to provide detailed figures on the repatriation of sale
proceeds but rejected assertions that oil revenues do not return to the
country, saying such claims are not substantiated.
In his view, when buyers take delivery, guarantees are secured, and
the model has not changed over the past 12 to 13 months.
On fuel security, Paknejad said the government’s planning and
coordination across the petroleum ministry, the National Iranian Oil Company,
the National Petrochemical Company, the National Iranian Gas Company, and the
National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company ensured that there were
no shortages.
Regarding potential petrol price increases discussed in the
parliament, he stated that government decisions reflect broad agreement: “When
the government decides, everyone agrees.”
He also warned that sanctions tools and tariffs should not create new restrictions
for the oil sales process, adding that the sector’s professional sales team is
prepared to respond to such measures.
The minister emphasized that consensus within the government guided
policy and that the oil sector would continue to operate in support of national
interests.