Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter The retirement of Iran's veteran Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh after presidential elections on Jun. 18 will mark the departure of the longest serving oil minister in the Opec-plus alliance of producer countries. It's not yet clear who will succeed Zanganeh when he steps down, most likely in mid-August. But whoever it is will take the reins at a sensitive time. If US-Iran talks in Vienna lead to sanctions relief, Tehran has made clear its intention to swiftly restore its crude output to pre-sanctions levels and hike exports, even if some voices within Opec-plus call for restraint (PIW May28'21). A senior Iranian oil source insists the choice of the country's next oil minister won't affect Iran’s position toward Opec-plus or its planned return to the market.
