On Friday, Mohsen Paknejad, on the sidelines of the Quds Day rally, said that Quds Day is a significant opportunity for Muslims and free thinkers around the world to raise their voices against the injustice the occupying Zionist regime has imposed on the oppressed Palestinian people for years.

He noted that Quds Day is a great chance for solidarity, serving as a backing force for the resistance fighters, adding, “The crimes committed by Israel in the past year and a half, including bombing mosques and hospitals and destroying people’s homes, are clear. But where are the human rights advocates? Those who should come and stop the savagery of this brutal regime—where are they, and why do they support it? Why do they supply weapons and back it?”

Raising global awareness, exposing West's double standards

The Minister emphasized that the voices raised in protest on Quds Day in Iran and across the globe echo these concerns. “I don’t know how human rights advocates in Western countries will respond to the demands of this population and other Quds Day rallies around the world,” he said.

Paknejad added that the oppression of defenseless Palestinians is painful not only for Muslims but for every free person around the world, stating, “These are the double standards the Western world has defined for human rights, and it is regrettable that they support such crimes rather than condemning them.”

He pointed out that over the past year and a half, even in Western countries, the free-thinking community has risen in opposition to these atrocities. “This is a sign of the awakening of global public opinion and the exposure of the West’s claims regarding human rights.”

Increasing Iran's deterrence capability, gratitude for armed forces

The Minister said the large turnout was a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, sending a message of support. He added that despite commitments from the West and the Zionist regime for a ceasefire in Gaza, they have used a false pretext to resume the killing of people in Gaza. “These are the tragic issues we are witnessing today,” he said.

Paknejad emphasized that Iran, as a powerful country in the region, cannot remain indifferent, as indifference would open the door to oppression and harm coming its way. "Indifference would push us toward isolation," he said.

Recalling that figures like the late General Qasem Soleimani fought against ISIS to prevent such attacks from reaching Iran’s borders, he stated, “Iran's defense capability is its deterrent power, which is the pride of every Iranian. We must thank the members of our armed forces for enhancing Iran’s deterrent capacity in recent years.”

US illusions about zeroing Iran's oil exports

Regarding the Leader's guidance on not negotiating with the US, Paknejad stated, “His words are final, and if he has said not to negotiate, it is certainly in the best interest of the country.”

On US sanctions and their maximum pressure campaign to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, Paknejad dismissed these claims as empty fantasies, adding, “Thanks to God, this will never be realized.”

He reassured the people that necessary measures have been taken to address difficult circumstances, noting, “Our colleagues in the oil industry had promised to compensate for part of the natural decline in oil production from fields in 1403.”

Paknejad expressed gratitude to all employees in the oil industry, saying, “The National Iranian Oil Company, National Iranian Gas Company, National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, and National Petrochemical Company have played a key role in helping us get through the past winter with minimal challenges.”