TEHRAN – Iran’s Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad has emphasized resolving gas export and payment issues during a meeting with Iraq’s electricity minister, expressing optimism that both matters will soon be settled.
Speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of a meeting with Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Fadhil and his accompanying delegation, Paknejad said the two countries had made progress on their gas export agreement, which involves supplying power plants in Iraq via the Shalamcheh and Naftshahr border crossings.
“There were discussions about the volume of exported gas, and fortunately, we reached a consensus,” Paknejad told Shana news agency. “We also achieved positive outcomes regarding the payments owed to us for previous gas exports, and we expect both the volume and financial issues to be resolved soon.”
He described the meeting atmosphere as positive and thanked the Iraqi minister, his team, and the Iraqi people for their hospitality toward Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq for religious visits and the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Paknejad added that Iraq’s electricity minister pledged to make every effort to ensure favorable conditions for Iranian pilgrims.
Paknejad also rejected claims by foreign media that more than 40 million barrels of Iranian oil are stranded at sea, calling the reports baseless.
“We fundamentally have no oil that we are unable to sell,” Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, responding to recent reports from outlets including Bloomberg and S&P Global’s Platts suggesting a significant stockpile of unsold Iranian crude.
“These reports are inaccurate,” he said. “In oil sales, we may delay or relocate shipments based on market dynamics, but that is a strategic decision—not because we lack buyers.”
Addressing concerns about the impact of the recent 12-day conflict on domestic fuel supply, Paknejad said Iran successfully managed a surge in gasoline distribution, reaching up to 200 million liters per day. “It was handled through proper planning, thanks to divine support and the efforts of our colleagues in the sector,” he said.
According to ILNA, recent international reports claimed Iran is struggling to sell oil to China due to a sharp buildup of crude inventories both onshore and offshore. The reports linked the situation to falling prices and heavy discounts on Iranian oil—claims the oil minister firmly denied.