According to the President’s official website, Pezeshkian
appointed Paknejad as a presidential adviser, citing his experience, competence
and record of public service.
In the decree, the president called on Paknejad to provide
effective advisory input aimed at addressing the country’s challenges and
advancing the government’s objectives, while drawing on the expertise of
specialists and working within the framework of the Constitution, national
development policies and the Seventh Development Plan.
Paknejad served as Iran’s petroleum minister from August
2024 until his resignation was accepted by the president on October 5, 2026. He
was succeeded on an interim basis by Hamid Bovard, who was appointed acting petroleum
minister by Pezeshkian.