Addressing the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting at Gurugram in Haryana, India, on Thursday, Paknejad said Iran remains ready to play an active and constructive role in strengthening energy cooperation among BRICS members to ensure secure and affordable energy supplies.
Referring to attacks on Iran’s oil, gas, refining, and petrochemical infrastructure during the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against the country, the minister described the attacks as a blind war against global energy security, saying they had caused damage to facilities, casualties among oil industry workers, environmental consequences, disruptions to supply chains, and economic hardship for thousands of families in the Persian Gulf region.
He warned that the consequences of such actions have contributed to energy market instability, rising raw material prices, and increased living costs worldwide, stressing that such attacks constitute a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Paknejad emphasized that growing energy demand, geopolitical risks, market volatility, climate challenges, and investment constraints require greater international cooperation and pragmatic policymaking. He argued that all energy sources and technologies must contribute to meeting future demand, noting that oil and natural gas are expected to account for more than half of global energy needs through 2050.
The minister also proposed the creation of a BRICS energy security partnership aimed at enhancing resilience, stability, and cooperation across the energy value chain among member states.
Iran-South Africa Energy Cooperation
On the sidelines of the BRICS meeting, Paknejad met with South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
The two officials exchanged views on strengthening collaboration and exploring new opportunities for partnership between Tehran and Pretoria in various energy-related fields.
Paknejad also held talks with India’s Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar during his visit to India.
The 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting is held on June 25–26. BRICS brings together 11 major emerging economies and developing nations, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
IRNA