The predawn attacks on 13 June 2025 started with blasts in Tehran, martyring several top military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The attacks came exactly amid Iran-US nuclear talks, which were very close to an agreement. When the world was watching developments between Tehran and Washington, hosted by Muscat and Rome, with the Iranian oil market in focus, the Zionist regime did not hide its hostility to the talks. Just three days before the most sensitive round of talks, it embarked on an aggression against Iranian territory, thwarting talks.

Fruitless Attack

The power of the Iranian petroleum industry and its unstoppable movement are well known not only to the Zionist regime but also to the world. The very news that even sanctions could not stop the Iranian oil industry prompted this regime to damage two refineries in Bushehr to disrupt Iran’s energy supply, but of course, it could never stop the production process. Because immediately, with the timely presence of the oil industry’s operational forces, these two facilities were brought under control, the fire was contained, and the necessary measures were taken to maintain safety and continue activities.

Drones in the Sky

It was June 14. Several hours had passed since blasts rocked Tehran. The sky was shining in Bushehr. Service workers at the South Pars gas field were returning home or their residence to change shift. Suddenly, explosions were heard in Kangan, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. Small drones had struck a train at the refinery of Phase 14 of South Pars, causing a fire. The same spot, known as the most Iranian refinery, was targeted at South Pars, which is a symbol of Iranian strength. When sanctions had blocked all paths toward progress, SP14 was inaugurated. The refinery was fully built by Iranian service workers under the searing sun of Kangan under the tough climate conditions, making respiration difficult. Due to the blast, the Fajr Jam refinery, where gas from the South Pars, Naar, and Kangan gas fields is sweetened, suffered an accident.

Fire Contained

Barely had two hours passed when the fire was extinguished at the facilities targeted by strikes. In the preliminary hours, it was announced that one of the four units of SP14 had caught fire while the remaining 3 were still functioning. However, before nightfall, the Ministry of Petroleum released a statement allaying concerns among Iranians. The statement read as follows: “In the wake of Saturday’s attack by the fake Zionist regime, Phase 14 of South Pars and the Fajr Jam gas refinery were targeted. In the wake of this accident, petroleum industry service workers moved quickly to contain the fire in the shortest possible time, and they did so.”

Oil Depot Blast

On June 14 in the night, a fire broke out in western Tehran while black smoke rose south of the capital. The Shahran oil depot, as well as an oil storage tank in Rey, were targeted. Not only residents of the western districts of Tehran, but also the entire capital, started to worry. They feared that the fire could not be contained and would spread and cause other blasts. Rumors were swirling about fuel supply disruption and the spread of fire to nearly all cities. But the following morning, the Ministry of Petroleum announced that everything was under control. The statement said: “In continuation of recent invasions, the Shahran oil depot and a fuel storage tank south of Tehran were targeted by the ominous Zionist regime. Immediately after the accident occurred, rescue teams were dispatched to the place.”

The day following the attacks, Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad visited the Rey oil depot installations in order to see the latest developments. It was announced that the Rey oil storage facility was active without anything to worry about fuel distribution. Paknejad, who allayed public concerns, said sustainable fuel supply was underway and everything was under control.

Giving assurances on necessary arrangements for fuel supply, the minister said: “Naturally, in a bid to ensure long-term management of fuel supply, some areas may face some restrictions, which would not have any significant impact on the entire process of fuel distribution.”

No Queuing

Ali Akbar Ameri, director of supply and distribution at National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Co. (NIOPDC), said the fire at the Shahran and Rey oil depots had been contained, noting that Tehran Province had faced no problem with fuel supply.

“As soon as the depot was attacked, extinguishing the fire and preventing its spread to other storage facilities was considered. That was managed in the first minutes. Furthermore, activating other storage tanks and dispatching petroleum products to depots is underway. There is no problem with fuel supply now,” he explained.

Field observations vindicated such statements. Except for the first and second days of the strikes that caused anxiety among citizens, no queuing was seen at fuel stations. The fuel supply chain was functional, the same as ordinary days, without any problems and/or tensions.

Fuel Suppliers

Mohammad Sadeq Azimifar, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co. (NIORDC), said gasoline distribution saw a record 50% growth during the days of conflict. “The refining and distribution industry successfully passed a 12-day crisis test,” he said.

Heaping praise on NIORDC’s endeavor for sustainable fuel supply following the Zionist regime invasion of Iran, he released a statement to hail the Minister of Petroleum, Armed Forces (Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Basij, Army), and security organs. “I assure you that NIORDC’s staff would firmly remain ready to render services to our esteemed people under any circumstances without hesitating for a moment in fulfilling their obligations.”

Columnist Mohammad Mohajeri wrote: “Today we see no blackout. If we saw no queuing at gas stations, if we saw minimum tension in everyday life, it is thanks to round-the-clock efforts by those who have been working hard in full silence in fulfilment of their national obligations.”

Crisis Management

Such steadfastness is not new for the petroleum industry. It has already experienced much more critical conditions under the shadow of international sanctions. During the eight years of the imposed war on Iran, the petroleum industry was one of the main targets of enemy strikes due to being the main artery of energy supply and the main source of economic support activity. During the imposed war, oil installations, particularly refineries and terminals, were frequently attacked. The war began in 1980 with attacks on the Abadan oil refinery and ended in 1988 with strikes on the refining facilities. Oil refineries across the country were constantly bombed, and the Abadan refinery, due to its proximity to the border with Iraq, saw 23 of its processing units destroyed. The enemy was seeking to bring Iran’s oil production and exports to zero. That inflicted heavy damage on Iranian oil installations, but the enemy never achieved its goals.

Sustainable Supply

During the eight-year war, Iran’s oil exports did not halt at all. Iranian technicians relied on their expertise to repair damaged facilities and bring them back online. According to oil export documents from the Kharg terminal, oil exports were never stopped during the eight-year war. Iran kept oil exports at an average of 1.5 mb/d. In addition to its achievements, the petroleum industry experienced crisis management in practice, and not just on paper, in those days. That might sound easy under normal conditions, but when there is war, it would require much more expertise. Another point with crisis management was to gather knowledge in countering threats and, more importantly, turning threats into opportunities. The valuable experiences gained during the imposed war on Iran concerning crisis management were used during the 12-day war of aggression by the Zionist regime on Iran without causing any disruption in Iranian oil production and exports.

Besides sustainable production, the Ministry of Petroleum set up 17 mobile stations in Tehran and 3 others across Mazandaran Province in a bid to ensure fuel distribution. In the cities of Kashan, Golpayegan, Zanjan, Isfahan, and Qazvin, more than 500 CNG stations distribute fuel freely. Add to all of that crisis management and fire containment at SP14 and the Fajr Jam refinery without losses, immediate control of conditions following strikes on the Shahran and Rey oil depots.

Dynamism in Crisis

Finally, a ceasefire was declared between the Islamic Republic and the Zionist regime on June 24, ending 12 days of war.

One day after the war ended, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref visited the Ministry of Petroleum to meet with Minister Paknejad and a group of his deputies and senior managers.

Noting that despite 200 ml/d of per capita gasoline consumption during the first days following the aggression, there was no discontentment, Aref said tension-free queues at fuel stations were exemplary. He gave a positive assessment of the Ministry of Petroleum’s role in the sustainable management of fuel and energy in the country during the 12-day conflict.

“This ministry showed once more its dynamism and capacity under tough and critical conditions,” he said.

Aref said the 14th administration regards the Ministry of Petroleum as a main source of financing development, adding: “This ministry may serve as a model for other sectors.”

He said the 14th administration was seeking immunity for production in a bid to make decisions independently about oil production and exports without having to come under any imposition.

Strong Value Chain

In the meeting, Minister Paknejad paid homage to military and scientists who were assassinated during the air invasions.

“The petroleum industry value chain strongly protects national energy security. The petroleum industry staff tried their best until the last moment to prevent any disruption in the energy distribution sector,” he said.

He added that the petroleum industry was focused upon several points, including concentration on production throughout the value chain, from the upstream to the downstream sector.

The second step was to focus on reducing risks and removing possible hazards in the facilities.

The third point was to develop scenarios for countering probable disruption in the crude oil and petroleum products exports during times of crisis.

And the fourth point was to guarantee a sustainable fuel supply across the country.

Paknejad said some restrictions were imposed at the beginning, adding that people were cooperative in this regard.

Gas Network

During the 12-day war, the gas distribution network was struck in some areas. Minister Paknejad said National Iranian Gas Co. (NIGC) staff managed to repair the damaged network in the shortest possible time.

“At the beginning, it was unbelievable to me when they said the repair was over, but when I saw the gas flow at the dispatching center of NIGC, I was assured that the mission had been accomplished. That was indicative of synergy and coordination in the value chain of the petroleum industry, from production, transmission, refining, and supply to exports. This chain guaranteed the energy security of the country during tough days.”

During the first days of the strikes, Paknejad had reiterated that people had nothing to worry about concerning fuel distribution, particularly gasoline. Fuel distribution went on without disruption during the war.

Regarding the 12-day performance of NIORDC, he said: “Necessary arrangements had been considered and effective measures were undertaken. Throughout the crisis, we took some measures and managed the fuel supply successfully. This achievement does not belong to a single company; rather, it is the result of synergy within the petroleum industry value chain that accomplished a big task.”

Energy Fronline

In short intervals, two gas refineries managed to bring production facilities back online. All these achievements were the result of the service workers in the oil and gas industry. Minister Paknejad heaped praise on them. Effective cooperation between NIOC and NIGC yielded such effective results.

“Our colleagues stayed at work in operational zones that are exposed to risk. Our colleagues continued their work on Persian Gulf platforms and in Assaluyeh despite all threats,” he said.

Enemy Failure

Hamid Bovard, CEO of NIOC, gave a valuable assessment of cooperation within state organs, saying in a message: “This big achievement could not be achieved without empathy and steadfastness. Thanks to your efforts, no disruption was seen in supplying vital needs of the country, and the enemy failed once more in realizing its ominous objectives.”

He said that regular meetings at Crisis Committees of NIOC and its subsidiaries, as well as effective decision-making in logistics and operations, played the key role in achieving this success.

Ministry Standing Tall

During the 12-day war, the Iranian petroleum industry once more proved its strength and perseverance to the world. It managed to prevent a fuel and energy crisis through professional management and organizational coherence. That turned it into a successful model in resilient governance in the energy sector.

Iran Petroleum