TEHRAN - Iran’s Acting Oil 
Minister says Tehran will advocate for the creation of a common gas market and the protection of energy infrastructure against wartime sabotage in the upcoming Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Heads of State Summit.
Hamid Bovard, speaking before his departure for the Russian capital, said that Iran is actively pursuing strategic gas consultations with GECF members in Moscow.
He emphasized that the joint development of energy fields and the expansion of gas swap agreements form the core of Tehran’s energy cooperation with Russia.
“We will announce our stances at this summit and hold bilateral meetings with relevant ministers,” Bovard said ahead of the event.
He highlighted the urgent need to discuss the protection of critical energy infrastructure during conflicts, facilitate cross-border gas exchanges, and adopt unified global export policies to safeguard member states’ interests.
Noting the robust ties between Iranian officials and Russian energy giants, Bovard confirmed that the two sides have active contracts for field development and are currently in advanced negotiations regarding gas swaps.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to join the summit on Tuesday to engage with fellow leaders on global energy security, supply and demand dynamics, and the future of natural gas in the global energy mix.
The GECF, an intergovernmental organization comprising 12 major gas-producing nations—including Iran, Russia, and Qatar—was originally proposed in Tehran in 2001 and officially established in 2008.
The forum serves as a critical platform for coordinating policies, ensuring energy security, and shielding gas exporters from unilateral coercive measures and Western market volatility.