Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigns; NIOC chief Hamid Bovard to take over as acting minister

Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, Iranian state media said on Sunday, in a shake-up at the top of the country’s energy ministry (Reuters).

Hamid Bovard, the chief executive of the government-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), will be in charge of the ministry as acting minister, state media said, according to the Reuters report from Dubai.

No reason for Paknejad’s resignation was given in the state media reports carried by Reuters. The report was filed from Dubai by Elwely Elwelly and edited by Alex Richardson.

The change comes at a volatile moment for Iran’s energy sector: the Strait of Hormuz has seen four reported attacks on shipping between October 1 and 4, including a tanker attacked on Sunday reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, and Iran has said Hormuz will not reopen until its conditions are met, according to the same live coverage (Khaleej Times).