Speaking Sunday at a ceremony marking the 46th anniversary of Sacred Defense Week and the lifting of the siege of Abadan, Safavi said Iran’s strategic position and vast oil and gas resources have made it a focal point of global geopolitical developments.

“Energy in the modern era is not merely an economic commodity, but an instrument of power and a key measure of nations’ resilience in the face of imposed wars,” he said.

Safavi said efforts by rival powers to control the Persian Gulf’s energy resources are part of broader strategies aimed at pressuring and containing Iran’s economy. However, he said, Iran’s oil industry has maintained stable energy flows under wartime conditions, helping counter what he described as adversaries’ strategic calculations and strengthening national power.

Oil Industry’s Role in National Security

Safavi highlighted three key periods in the history of Iran’s oil industry: its role during the 1979 revolution, its support during the Iran-Iraq war, and its current role on the front line of the economic war.

He said the geography of oil production and export terminals remains an integral part of the regional balance of power.

Safavi said measures being pursued under the oil industry’s broader strategy to turn energy capacity into national power include improving gasoline quality and octane levels, introducing smart fuel-distribution management, and expanding natural gas and CNG infrastructure to address energy imbalances and ensure reliable fuel supplies.

Energy Infrastructure as a Strategic Front

Safavi stressed the importance of smart management of oil production and refining under current conditions.

He said the modern-day front lines of Sacred Defense are reflected in oil fields, production levels, refinery operations, pipelines and commercial fleets, all of which have a direct impact on the country’s energy security.

“During wartime, the oil industry is no longer merely an economic industry; it is part of national power, national security, and the lives and well-being of the people,” Safavi said.

He also stressed the vital importance of maintaining oil production, refining and sales for Iran’s economy, saying the country must use all available capacities to sustain oil exports because oil revenues contribute to running the country, paying salaries and covering public expenditures.

Safavi said the smart management of energy corridors can serve as a strategic tool for overcoming economic pressure, weakening opponents’ political leverage and maintaining Iran’s position in global energy markets.