Reza Sepahvand, spokesman for Parliament’s Energy Committee, said the discovery shows that Iran’s oil and gas sector remains operational and capable of expanding production and developing new resources despite what he described as an unequal war.

“The development of the oil and gas industry, along with the extraction and production of petroleum products, shows that the country remains standing on a solid foundation,” Sepahvand said.

He said the discovery also reflects the Oil Ministry’s continued activities during the conflict, adding that the war had caused damage but failed to halt the government’s and ministry’s operations.

The discovery sends a message to the Iranian public and regional countries that Iran is pursuing development and discovering major oil and gas fields independently, Sepahvand said.

He noted that oil and gas field development before the 1979 Islamic Revolution relied heavily on foreign companies and specialists. Iran has since developed significant domestic expertise and technology, allowing it to achieve a high level of self-sufficiency in oil exploration and extraction, he said.

Sepahvand said the newly discovered gas reserves also demonstrate that the Oil Ministry has been able to advance its work despite difficult economic conditions and external pressure.

He praised Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and ministry personnel for maintaining their activities under pressure and expressed hope that Iran would continue its development projects at the same pace.