Pak-Nejad’s visit on Saturday, October 5, 2024, aimed to inspect gas
and petrochemical facilities, reassure frontline gas production workers, and
assess ongoing projects. He stated that this visit was a routine field trip,
emphasizing that "we are not worried about crises created by the enemies
of the Revolution, and this trip is considered a working visit."
The Minister highlighted that the hopes of fellow citizens rest on the
shoulders of oil industry workers, noting that the gross domestic product,
wealth creation, and energy security for households, commerce, and industries
are all tied to the efforts of oil workers. He encouraged them to take pride in
their roles.
Pak-Nejad's itinerary included visits to various facilities, such as
the A platform of phase 18 and the fifth phase platform of the South Pars gas
field, the gas processing plants of phases 6, 7, and 8, the Pars petrochemical
complex, the Pars petrochemical terminal, the Baitsat power plant, and the
unfinished Imam Khomeini port, accompanied by senior oil industry managers.
Meanwhile, Farhad Shaherki, a member of the Energy Commission of the
Iranian Parliament, remarked that the Minister's presence alongside workers in
the Pars Special Economic Zone illustrates the government's support and
solidarity with those active in the oil and gas industries, conveying a message
of resilience against threats.
Given the tense situation in the Middle East, with numerous reports of
Israeli attacks emerging in foreign media, the live coverage of the Minister's
trip by the Shana news group received significant attention, particularly from
Israeli media outlets.
Reuters reported on Pak-Nejad's visit with the headline: "Iran's
Oil Minister Not Worried About Crises Despite Israeli Threats," quoting
him as saying, "We are not worried about crises created by the enemies of
the Revolution, and this trip is considered a routine working visit."
The Times of Israel reported that Pak-Nejad declared in the capital of
Iran's energy sector that they are not concerned about enemy crises. Similarly,
the Jerusalem Post referenced Pak-Nejad's inspection of gas facilities in
Asaluyah and his assertion that the visit was normal.
Al Jazeera 24 reported on the Minister's trip, noting that the Israeli
regime had threatened to target Iran's oil industry in retaliation.
Other international media coverage included Indian news outlet
Devdiscourse, which highlighted Pak-Nejad's comments about the normalcy of his
visit, as well as reports from Al Arabiya English, Middle East Eye, KFGO in the
Netherlands, Malay Mail in Malaysia, Dunya News in Pakistan, Baha Breaking News
in Austria, LBC in Lebanon, US News in America, and Energy Now in Canada, all
providing separate coverage of the Minister's visit to the Pars Special
Economic Zone.