Paknejad, born in 1966 in Tehran, holds a bachelor's degree in
electrical engineering from the University of Tehran and a master's degree in
industrial engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology. His career
began in the Ministry of Energy in the early 1990s, and he has held various
significant positions within the Ministry of Petroleum since then.
His extensive experience includes roles such as Advisor to the
Minister of Petroleum and Head of the Fuel Supply Supervision Committee
(1996-1997), Director of the Gas Fields Development Project (1997-1999), and
Director General of Petroleum Exports Supervision and Technical Inspection
(1999-2006). Paknejad also served on the Board of Directors of the Central
Iranian Oil Company and as Deputy Director of Integrated Planning at the
National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
From 2018 to 2021, Paknejad was the Deputy Minister of Petroleum,
overseeing hydrocarbon resources. Before this, he held senior roles in
petroleum exports and served as CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Iranian Oil Trading Company.
Paknejad's nomination by President Masoud Pezeshkian reflects
confidence in his ability to lead Iran's vital oil sector during a period of
economic and geopolitical challenges. His confirmation as Oil Minister is seen
as a critical step in the government's efforts to enhance the country's oil
industry and navigate the complex landscape of global energy markets.