Speaking Monday at a ceremony marking the launch of the Tous gas field development project and the Dehloran pressure boosting station, Pezeshkian stressed the need to safeguard the country’s foreign exchange resources. He said about 5 million cubic meters of gas are flared daily in Iran’s oil and gas fields, amounting to the loss of roughly $17 million in national wealth each day.

Referring to that figure, Pezeshkian said such resources could bring about major changes in the country’s development and should not be allowed to go to waste.

Addressing executive bodies and contractors working under the Oil Ministry, the president said precise planning and a spirit of solidarity are needed to minimize project implementation timelines.

He added that not even an hour should be lost in protecting this wealth and that all available capacities must be mobilized to accelerate the collection of associated gas.

Pezeshkian reiterated his appreciation for specialists working under challenging conditions and said savings from reduced flaring and collected associated gas should be spent directly on growth, development and infrastructure in the regions hosting these projects.

At the end of the ceremony, marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the president ordered the launch of the first phase of the Tous gas field, valued at 120 million euros, and the Dehloran pressure boosting station, valued at 125 million euros. He said he hoped similar ceremonies would soon be held to celebrate the complete end of the daily loss of $17 million in national wealth.