The change in leadership follows mounting pressure from the Iranian Parliament and the Supreme Audit Court over the transparency of billions of dollars in sanctioned oil sales and discounts. Media reports have also linked the resignation to disputes over the management of the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company and a sharp fall in crude exports due to a tightening US blockade. Paknejad had held the post since August 2024.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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First Pezeshkian Cabinet Minister Resigns Over Sanctioned Oil Disputes
Geopolitics15 days ago
Hamid Bovard has taken the helm of Iran's petroleum agency in an acting capacity after Mohsen Paknejad stepped down on Sunday. The resignation of Paknejad marks the first exit of a minister from President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet since he took office. Pezeshkian initially rejected the request to step down, which was submitted for personal reasons, but eventually approved the departure after Paknejad pressed the issue again.
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