Iranian oil minister resigns, interim chief appointed

Iran's state media announced on Sunday that Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned from his post.

Masoud Bazeshkian, deputy director of the president's office, confirmed that the resignation was officially accepted, adding that the president has appointed Hamid Bourd as acting oil minister.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Bourd's appointment came immediately after Paknejad's resignation was accepted.

According to the Iranian constitution, a ministry can be managed by an acting official for up to three months, during which time the president may nominate a permanent minister for parliamentary approval.