Iran plans to resume offshore oil and gas exploration after a six-year hiatus, driven by competition from regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have made significant discoveries. The National Iranian Oil Company announced the signing of a contract for an offshore exploration rig, with operations expected to start by 2025. However, Iran faces challenges, including a shortage of operational rigs, financial constraints due to US sanctions, and the high costs of offshore drilling. Currently, Iran lags behind neighboring countries in production, particularly in shared fields, where it extracts significantly less oil and gas compared to its competitors.