Key facts
- Reports of Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad's resignation have been denied by state-affiliated media.
- Hamid Bovard, CEO of National Iranian Oil Company, was also reported to be in his post.
- Speculation about Bovard's departure followed reports of a dismissal order from the Supreme Audit Court.
- Bovard was blacklisted by the US Treasury in February for facilitating Iranian crude oil sales.
Reports that Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad had resigned were denied by state-affiliated media, including IRIB. Informed sources also stated that Paknejad was still handling ongoing affairs at the Ministry of Oil. Separately, semi-official Mehr news agency reported that Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Bovard had not stepped down from his post as head of the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC). Mehr stated that Bovard was at work and no resignation had taken place, countering earlier reports of his possible departure. These earlier reports claimed the Supreme Audit Court issued a dismissal order after Bovard allegedly refused to provide information about oil and gas trade deals. Bovard was blacklisted by the US Treasury in February for allegedly facilitating Iranian crude oil sales and transfers.