Amirabbas Ekhteraei stressed the need for synergy across all sectors of the country to restore damaged oil infrastructure. He said the effort could be treated as a top national priority, with active participation from government, private and public sectors as a national pact.

He pointed to an increase in joint meetings between the Oil Ministry and private companies under the current administration, adding that the government’s new approach includes holding specialized sessions with direct participation from private sector stakeholders at the ministry.

Ekhteraei said the new perspective replaces the traditional employer-contractor relationship with a collaborative effort toward a shared national goal, accelerating reconstruction of damaged oil industry facilities and infrastructure.

Need to Recognize Private Sector Capacity

Ekhteraei identified the lack of attention to private-sector capabilities as a major barrier to cooperation in the past. He said private sector participants are part of the public and have consistently demonstrated their capabilities when given real opportunities.

He added that better recognition of domestic capacity and increased trust could enable more effective participation in major oil industry projects.

Referring to a new model for oil contracts, Ekhteraei said more time is needed to evaluate its outcomes, but it could help direct private sector financial resources toward production and infrastructure development. The model may also attract capital previously invested in nonproductive markets into large-scale oil projects.

Role of Domestic Capacity Under Sanctions

Ekhteraei said maximizing domestic capacity is critical as the country faces sanctions. He noted that more than 80% of the oil industry’s required parts and equipment are currently produced domestically, with significant self-sufficiency achieved in many areas.

He added that relying on domestic capabilities not only accelerates reconstruction but also reduces dependence on foreign sources, especially during crises and conflicts.

Private Sector Ready for Reconstruction

Ekhteraei emphasized the private sector’s full readiness to participate in rebuilding damaged oil facilities. He said members of the association have formally declared their willingness to cooperate and are prepared to provide all available capacity to help restore lost capabilities.

He added that the technical and operational capacities of the private sector have been fully outlined, and the expectation now is that coordination within the Oil Ministry will enable practical involvement of the private sector in reconstruction projects.