Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on major natural gas producers to strengthen strategic and technical cooperation to ensure global energy security. He warned that unilateral US sanctions and military intervention in the Persian Gulf destabilize energy markets and threaten global economic growth.
Speaking at the eighth Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit in Moscow on Tuesday, Pezeshkian noted that geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures have exposed the global energy market to serious risks. He emphasized the need for coordinated action from gas-producing countries to maintain market stability, expand trade, and strengthen investments across the entire natural gas value chain.
The Iranian President condemned military aggression by the US and Israel against Iran, stating that attacks on the country's energy infrastructure and disruptions to energy supplies jeopardize global energy security and the broader economy.
Furthermore, the Iranian president sharply denounced 'economic coercion by the US,' including unilateral sanctions, maritime and air blockades of Iran, as well as pressure on other countries to comply with these restrictions. He urged major energy suppliers to condemn and effectively counter such measures, arguing that US military intervention in the Persian Gulf had consequences far beyond the region, disrupting energy pricing, supply, and transportation.
Iran's Readiness to Expand Its Role in Global Gas Markets
Pezeshkian stated that Iran, as the founder of GECF and possessing the world's second-largest proven natural gas reserves, is ready to play a more active role in multilateral energy diplomacy, technological cooperation, and investment in gas infrastructure. Despite years of unilateral sanctions, he asserted that Iran has developed its domestic capabilities and maintained its status as the world's third-largest natural gas producer, citing the country's annual production capacity at 280 billion cubic meters.
According to Pezeshkian, natural gas accounts for about 70 percent of Iran's energy balance, and the national gas transmission network covers approximately 95 percent of the population. He invited foreign investors, especially from GECF member states, to consider opportunities in Iran's oil and gas industry, infrastructure development, and gas trade, referencing the country's strategic location along major energy corridors and potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Call for GECF to Turn Potential into Joint Projects
The President described GECF as an important platform for multilateral diplomacy, experience exchange, and closer coordination among gas-producing countries. He insisted on the effective implementation of the forum's charter, long-term strategy, and summit declarations. Pezeshkian noted that cooperation should focus on two main areas: strategic management and governance, as well as technical and engineering operations.
At the strategic level, he highlighted the importance of stabilizing markets and increasing natural gas trade regionally and internationally. Regarding the technical aspect, he called for joint investments across the entire gas value chain—from extraction and processing to transportation and consumption. The necessity of modernizing technological capabilities, increasing productivity, and reducing the environmental impact of gas production and use was also emphasized. Existing capacities, in his view, should be transformed into practical projects and common economic interests, while cooperation must align with long-term supply and demand trends.
Pezeshkian further called for intensified efforts to expand regional and global gas markets, maximize the value of natural gas resources, and combat energy poverty.
Regional Cooperation and Multilateralism
This summit takes place amid Iran's and Russia's desire to deepen cooperation in energy and other fields. Speaking to reporters upon arrival in Moscow on Monday, Pezeshkian stated that relations between the two countries have gone beyond signing memoranda of understanding; both sides are working to implement their comprehensive strategic agreement in economic, scientific, cultural, defense, and political areas.
He labeled unilateralism and the use of pressure to advance national interests as serious obstacles to international cooperation, noting that Iran, Russia, and other countries are working to strengthen multilateralism.
Parallel to the summit, Pezeshkian met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and stressed the need to expand political and economic interaction, particularly in the fields of energy, trade, and coordination among natural gas exporting countries.
The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, stated that Iran and Russia possess significant potential to form a fairer global energy architecture. In an article published by the Russian information agency TASS, Jalali argued that the future of the global gas market should be based on pluralism, diversified supply sources, and respect for the sovereignty of energy suppliers.
The GECF summit brings together major gas-producing countries to discuss energy cooperation and the future of global gas markets. Pezeshkian concluded that constructive interaction between member and observer states can strengthen supply and demand security, support fair valuation of natural gas, and enhance its role in the global energy balance while considering environmental aspects.