In a recent meeting of the Planning and Development Council of Mazandaran Province, President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the province’s vast potential and the need for coordinated management. He asserted that the challenges discussed, such as knowledge-based agriculture, water resources, forestry, industries, and industrial parks, are entirely solvable with the current management and collaboration in place.
Pezeshkian reiterated the government’s policy of decentralizing authority to provinces, stating, “We strive not to concentrate power in Tehran and are fully prepared to delegate responsibilities in areas like maritime transport, the North-South corridor, and development projects.” He identified public satisfaction as the primary measure of executive performance, noting that when agencies operate effectively, the public’s approval follows. He stressed that public discontent signifies a failure to serve adequately and urged open communication with citizens to harness their support.The President highlighted the success of community involvement in education stating that most educational projects completed with public participation were delivered faster and of higher quality fostering social capital. He cited Quranic verses to emphasize the importance of justice and entrusting responsibilities to the rightful individuals stating “If we act based on justice there will be no protests. Protests arise from injustice favoritism and factionalism. God commands that we entrust responsibilities to those deserving and rule with fairness.”
In response to Western accusations against Iran Pezeshkian declared “They label us as terrorists while we are the true victims of terrorism.” He recounted over 28000 street assassinations at the onset of the war where individuals serving rural communities were targeted.
The President also referenced the assassination of prominent national figures stating “Our President was murdered our clerics were killed and our nuclear scientists were systematically targeted. Why? To remove capable and informed individuals from our ranks hindering our ability to serve our country.” He condemned the destruction of over 350 mosques and 300 schools during recent unrest asserting “Those who protest do not destroy schools and mosques. They sought to overthrow the government. In the U.S. and Europe assaults on police are met with severe repercussions yet in our country our security forces and volunteers are killed and then they claim Iran is the terrorist.”
Pezeshkian pointed out the role of adversaries in sowing discord among Islamic nations stating “Israel with its few million citizens has ignited conflict throughout the Middle East pitting Islamic countries against each other. If we act according to the unity and brotherhood proclaimed by the Prophet during the conquest of Mecca the enemy cannot divide us.”
In conclusion Pezeshkian emphasized “If we unite and support one another no power can bring us down. Our dear people should know that we are their servants and owe everything to them.”
