Iran’s Oil Minister emphasizes BRICS cooperation to achieve energy security

By the Editorial Team · Friday, June 26, 2026

Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad emphasized the need for BRICS countries to collaborate on ensuring global energy security, highlighting Iran’s willingness to contribute despite recent attacks on its energy infrastructure. He stressed the ongoing importance of oil and gas alongside renewables through 2050, urging balanced investments to support a stable and inclusive energy transition while calling for regional security responsibility to shift away from foreign military presence.

Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad underscored the importance of cooperation among BRICS countries to advance global energy security during the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers Meeting held Thursday in Gurugram, India. He affirmed Iran’s readiness to engage actively and constructively with BRICS members to promote stable and affordable energy supplies.

In his address, Paknejad drew attention to recent challenges faced by Iran, citing attacks on the country’s oil, gas, refining, and petrochemical infrastructure. He described these actions as not only targeting Iran’s critical facilities but also threatening global energy stability. The minister highlighted the human toll, including casualties among oil industry personnel and civilians, and the broader economic and environmental impacts. He emphasized that such aggressions violate international law and called for their condemnation on all levels.

Paknejad reiterated Iran’s position that lasting peace and security in West Asia depend on the withdrawal of foreign military forces, particularly American bases, and the responsibility for regional security being assumed by the countries within West Asia.

Addressing wider global energy concerns, Paknejad noted the complex and evolving challenges facing the energy sector, including rising demand, geopolitical uncertainties, market volatility, climate change, and the imperative of ensuring affordable energy access worldwide. While acknowledging international efforts toward an energy transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate climate change, he cautioned against unilateral policies that could undermine global energy security and exacerbate energy poverty, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Citing recent data, including the OPEC World Oil Outlook 2026 report, Paknejad emphasized that oil and gas are expected to continue constituting a significant portion of global energy consumption through 2050. Despite growth in renewable energy, fossil fuels currently account for about 57% of electricity generation worldwide and are forecasted to remain a substantial component in the coming decades. He pointed to oil’s ongoing role in transportation and industry and highlighted natural gas’s importance as a comparatively cleaner and versatile energy source during the transition.

The minister advocated for increased investment in oil and gas industries alongside decarbonization technologies to support a fair and inclusive energy transition that balances sustainability with supply security. He underscored the BRICS group’s considerable potential to collaborate across multiple energy domains—including fossil fuels, renewables, power grids, hydrogen, efficiency measures, and digital innovation—to address current and future energy challenges collectively.

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