Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, has said that countries which once refused to supply fuel to Iranian aircraft are now negotiating with Iran to secure their own energy needs, framing the shift as a broader move “from a phase of vulnerability to sanctions to a phase of reference in securing the world’s needs.” The remarks, carried by Iranian state‑linked media and regional outlets, highlight Tehran’s effort to portray itself as an emerging energy‑supply hub even amid ongoing US sanctions and regional tensions.
Speaking in early April, Aref acknowledged that Iran had faced years of pressure on its fuel and energy sectors due to sanctions, but insisted that current conditions have improved, with energy and basic‑supply reserves in “good condition.” He contrasted that situation with an earlier period when some foreign firms and states were reluctant to sell fuel or spare parts to Iranian airlines, often citing legal and insurance barriers linked to Western sanctions.
According to Tehran’s narrative, the current war‑driven oil‑market volatility and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz have pushed several countries to view Iran as a more reliable or at least necessary partner in energy talks. Aref’s description of Iran as a “phase of reference” suggests that non‑Western states now come to Tehran not just to negotiate, but to tap into its oil, gas, and refining capacity, especially as global supply chains reroute during the US–Iran standoff.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that the country’s energy and food reserves are stable, even as the broader conflict created initial spikes in global crude prices and regional fuel shortages. Backed by allies such as China and Russia, Tehran has argued that sanctions have not permanently isolated it from global energy markets, and that wartime pressures often force others to return to the negotiating table.
From Iran’s perspective, Aref’s comments are part of a broader diplomatic signal: that the Islamic Republic has moved from being a pariah under sanctions to a recognized player whose energy and geopolitical standing can no longer be ignored by key global actors. Whether that framing will translate into durable, post‑war energy deals depends on how quickly and fully any eventual US–Iran settlement lifts barriers on Iranian exports.