Speaking Sunday at a ceremony marking Sacred Defense Week, Omid Shakeri paid tribute to the country’s fallen soldiers and veterans, saying the occasion provides an opportunity to remember their sacrifices and draw lessons for serving the country.

Shakeri, who also heads the National Petrochemical Company, said every responsibility assigned to officials represents an opportunity to serve the country and fulfill their duties, adding that such responsibilities must be pursued with greater determination under current conditions.

Referring to attacks on oil industry facilities, he said industry workers remained on duty around the clock despite the possibility of further attacks, working to keep energy transmission routes operational.

Maintaining fuel supplies under such difficult circumstances was the result of the dedication and efforts of oil industry employees, Shakeri said, adding that under the leadership of the petroleum minister, efforts on the ground ensured that fuel supplies to the public were not interrupted.

He described these efforts as part of the oil industry workers’ economic jihad, saying the arena of national effort is no longer limited to the military field and that the economic sphere has become one of its main fronts.

Shakeri thanked oil and petrochemical industry employees for their efforts, saying that despite difficulties and challenges, they had been given a valuable opportunity to serve the country and should make the most of it.

He concluded the ceremony by honoring veterans of the National Petrochemical Company.