Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has nominated a Revolutionary Guards commander to head the nation’s oil ministry.

Mr. Ahmadinejad on Wednesday named Rostam Qasemi to the lead the ministry, which has had a caretaker minister since June.

The United States last year placed sanctions on Qasemi and four subsidiaries of a construction company he oversees for the military. The State Department said the subsidiaries were involved in projects that support Iran’s efforts to build weapons of mass destruction and support terrorist activities.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Qasemi must be approved by parliament, and a vote is expected to take place next week.

Mr. Ahmadinejad clashed with parliament earlier this year after naming himself to head the oil ministry. He stepped down from that role after parliament threatened to take him to court over the issue.