Reacting to a recent executive order signed by former U.S. President
Donald Trump aimed at reducing Iran’s oil exports to zero, Paknejad said, “This
is nothing but a dream for them, and they will never achieve it.”
He criticized the policy as ineffective and reiterated that similar
strategies had been tried before without success. “This so-called maximum
pressure approach has been tested and failed in the past. Repeating it will
lead to the same result: failure,” he stated.
Paknejad commended the resilience of Iran’s oil sector, underscoring
the preparedness of industry specialists to navigate any challenges. “Our
expert workforce, from production to export operations, is equipped to
implement complex and effective measures in response to any constraints. The
more restrictions imposed on us, the more innovative our responses will
become,” he noted.
During a visit to the Parchin Gas Compressor Station on Saturday,
Paknejad reflected on the achievements of Iran's oil industry following the
1979 Islamic Revolution. “When foreign companies exited the oil industry, they
didn’t believe our workforce could independently manage this complex sector.
Today, however, we have achieved self-sufficiency across upstream and
downstream operations,” he said.
Paknejad highlighted the industry’s significant progress in localizing
equipment production and developing oil and gas fields, adding that much of the
sector is now managed domestically.
The remarks underscore Iran’s strategy to counter external pressures
through innovation, self-reliance, and strengthening domestic capacities,
reaffirming the nation’s resilience in the face of ongoing economic challenges.