Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that US unilateral sanctions and economic terrorism against Iran pose a serious threat to energy market stability, urging major global energy suppliers to condemn and effectively counter US military interventions in the Persian Gulf region.
Addressing the eighth Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Moscow on Tuesday, President Pezeshkian called for stronger cooperation in energy market management, joint investment and technical cooperation, warning that US sanctions against Iran and military interventions in the Persian Gulf threaten global energy security.
The Iranian president thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and the Russian government for hosting the event. He also paid tribute to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, for his role in supporting and strengthening the forum.
President Pezeshkian said the summit was taking place amid geopolitical developments that had created serious challenges for global energy security. He described US and Israeli military attacks against Iran during two periods of political negotiations as dangerous developments, saying damage to Iranian energy facilities and disruptions to energy transfers had endangered global energy security and economic stability.
He also condemned unilateral sanctions against countries and a US economic blockade of Iran, warning that pressure on other countries to comply could further destabilize energy markets.
US military interventions in the Persian Gulf affect not only regional actors but also disrupt energy pricing, supply and transportation, putting global economic growth at risk, President Pezeshkian said.
He described the GECF, which has operated for more than two decades, as an important platform for multilateral gas diplomacy, dialogue and the exchange of experience among member states.
The Iranian president called for greater attention to sustainable environmental management, the development of regional and global gas markets, expanding natural gas’s role across the value chain and addressing energy poverty.
President Pezeshkian said member countries should expand cooperation in strategic governance and technical operations, with a focus on market stability, increasing natural gas trade and developing joint investment across the sector, from production and processing to transportation and consumption.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen technological capabilities to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of gas production and use, urging members to translate their resources and expertise into practical projects and shared benefits.
President Pezeshkian said Iran, a founding member of the GECF and the holder of the world’s second-largest proven natural gas reserves, was ready to play a more active role in multilateral diplomacy, knowledge-sharing and investment in gas infrastructure.
Despite years of unilateral sanctions, he said, Iran had raised its natural gas production capacity to 280 billion cubic meters, retaining its position as the world’s third-largest gas producer. Natural gas accounts for 70 percent of Iran’s energy mix, while 95 percent of the population is covered by the national gas network, he added.
President Pezeshkian concluded that constructive cooperation among member and observer countries could strengthen security of supply and demand, support fair pricing and enhance natural gas’s role in the global energy mix while taking environmental concerns into account.