Iran President Pledges Full State Support for Petchem Industry Amid Energy Pressure

Iran President Pledges Full State Support for Petchem Industry Amid Energy Pressure
(Saturday, May 23, 2026) 11:46

TEHRAN, May 23 (NIPNA) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the administration will provide full support to the country’s petrochemical sector, emphasizing that energy-intensive export industries must not face production disruptions even as Iran manages domestic energy constraints and external pressure on its infrastructure.

Speaking at a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum, Pezeshkian said Iran’s oil and gas workforce succeeded in maintaining uninterrupted production, transport and fuel supply during recent wartime conditions despite attacks on parts of the country’s energy infrastructure.

He praised the “round-the-clock” efforts of engineers, managers and operational staff, saying the sector’s performance prevented any halt in the national production and fuel supply chain.

“The oil industry did not allow production and fuel supply to be interrupted under wartime conditions,” he said, according to remarks published by the presidential office.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran is facing constraints in fuel availability, urging public awareness of consumption patterns and the need for structural reforms in energy use. He said excessive reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and inefficient consumption practices are placing unnecessary pressure on national resources.

He also called for greater use of public transport and said savings from reduced fuel consumption should be redirected toward social support programs for lower-income households rather than imported fuel purchases.

The president highlighted the importance of balancing energy supply and demand, warning against expanding infrastructure commitments beyond the country’s actual capacity. He said such imbalances could create long-term dissatisfaction if not addressed through evidence-based planning.

Pezeshkian also urged a review of gas distribution policies, saying expansion of the gas network should be guided by regional climate conditions and efficiency considerations rather than blanket expansion.

He called for stronger demand-management policies, including incentives and restrictions to encourage efficient energy use across households and public buildings, many of which he said operate below optimal efficiency levels while consuming significant energy resources.

At the same time, Pezeshkian reiterated full state support for export-oriented and foreign-exchange-generating industries, particularly petrochemicals, stating that gas and electricity supply to strategic industrial sectors would be safeguarded.

National Petrochemical Company and affiliated industries play a key role in Iran’s export revenues, employment and industrial stability, he noted, adding that production continuity in the sector is a national priority.

He also emphasized tighter control over the petrochemical value chain, calling for measures to prevent hoarding and intermediary-driven distortions in product distribution.

The president assigned two key tasks to the Ministry of Petroleum: prioritizing gas allocation to productive, high-value sectors and designing a regional quota-based energy distribution system aligned with actual demand patterns.

Pezeshkian also highlighted rail transport as a strategic channel for petrochemical exports, saying expanded use of the railway network would reduce costs, improve safety and strengthen export stability.

Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad briefed the meeting on 40 days of wartime operations, damage assessments, ongoing reconstruction of energy infrastructure and measures taken to sustain production, fuel distribution and gas supply to power plants and industries.

Officials said the sector managed to maintain stable output despite maritime restrictions, infrastructure damage and heightened operational pressures, underscoring the strategic importance of Iran’s energy system under current conditions.

 


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