Iran’s President Names Hamid Bovard Acting Oil Minister After Paknejad Resigns

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accepted Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad’s resignation on October 4 and appointed Hamid Bovard as acting minister. The presidential decree cited Article 135 of Iran’s constitution and Bovard’s qualifications and executive experience as the basis for his appointment. It instructed him to pursue the government’s objectives within the constitution, approved general policies and the Seventh Development Plan. The decree also called for cooperation with the cabinet in addressing the country’s problems. The announcement did not give a reason for Paknejad’s resignation.