According to the First Vice President’s official news outlet, Mohammadreza Aref, speaking after a visit to the National Iranian Oil Company’s monitoring center on Thursday, emphasized the ministry’s crucial role in maintaining fuel and energy stability during the conflict. Despite daily gasoline consumption reaching 200 million liters at the start of the aggression, no public dissatisfaction was reported, and the calm among citizens at fuel stations was remarkable.

Aref noted that the 14th administration, relying on elite human resources, views the Oil Ministry as a key financial pillar for national development. He added that the ministry could serve as a model for other sectors, stressing the government’s focus on securing production independence to make autonomous decisions on oil output and exports without external interference.

Strengthening cybersecurity, securing oil production 

The First Vice President highlighted that the 14th administration’s stability strategy was evident in the Oil Ministry’s performance over the past two weeks. He attributed the government and nation’s success during the 12-day conflict to lessons learned from the eight-year Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq War).

Aref called for stronger cybersecurity measures, stating that with Iran’s young elite talent, the country must achieve cybersecurity resilience to address concerns. He noted that a government task force has been formed to enhance cyber and digital security.

Congratulating the people on their victory in the 12-day conflict, Aref praised their loyalty to the nation and system despite hostile propaganda. He said the unity displayed during the conflict was unprecedented, differing even from the solidarity seen in the 1980s.

National unity against enemy plots 

Aref thanked military, production, and service front personnel during the war, warning enemies not to underestimate Iranian culture and civilization. Despite challenges, he said, decision-making remained calm and composed. For the first time in decades, he noted, the enemy had banked on social crises but faced a united public, leading to the opposite outcome.

Emphasizing that the government’s core strategy is maintaining full readiness against threats, Aref said the Zionist regime and other adversaries now understand they cannot confront Iran’s millennia-old civilization. He stated they must bow to the Iranian people’s greatness, adding that regional peace will remain elusive as long as this "corrupt entity" exists.