Iran (IMNA) _ Speaking in a televised interview on Friday marking the beginning of the third year of his administration, Pezeshkian said the enemy had conducted extensive studies before launching its attacks, including through the use of artificial intelligence. He said the calculations behind the attacks were not irrational, given the serious economic, infrastructural and security pressures facing Iran, but the country nevertheless managed to resist.
The president emphasized that preserving unity inside Iran and strengthening solidarity among Muslim countries should remain central national priorities. He said Iran should pursue dialogue and cooperation with neighboring and regional countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
Pezeshkian: Iran will continue negotiations but will not trust adversaries blindly
Addressing negotiations and the possibility of peace, Pezeshkian said a framework reached by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council constituted a major achievement. He noted that 12 of the council’s 13 members had supported the proposal, describing it as the outcome of collective judgment.
According to the president, the framework included reciprocal commitments related to sanctions, the blockade, oil and petrochemical exports, frozen Iranian funds, investment and developments in Lebanon.
He said the agreement was disrupted after the other side failed to fulfill parts of its commitments, but negotiations have since resumed.
Pezeshkian also discussed arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran was prepared to reopen the route within an agreed framework if the other side fulfilled its commitments.
He stressed that Iran would continue negotiations but would not place unlimited trust in its adversaries. If the other side honored its commitments, Iran would do the same, he said, adding that Tehran would respond accordingly if commitments were not fulfilled.
The president also said dialogue was preferable to continued confrontation and could contribute to establishing peace and security in West Asia.
President links sanctions to inflation and economic pressures
Pezeshkian linked foreign-policy pressures directly to Iran’s economic difficulties, saying sanctions had reduced exports and imports and increased the cost of trade.
He rejected claims that sanctions had no impact on the Iranian economy, noting that restrictions on banking, oil and trade had made imports more expensive and contributed to inflation and fluctuations in the currency market.
At the same time, he said Iran was pursuing closer relations with regional countries and seeking to strengthen diplomacy. Muslim countries, he argued, should resolve disputes through dialogue and work collectively to prevent further regional instability.
Iran works to maintain essential services amid wartime pressures
Turning to domestic resilience, the president said Iran was facing shortages of electricity, gas and water, along with difficulties involving banks, insurance funds and other institutions.
Despite these pressures and damage inflicted on energy infrastructure during the war, he said the government had managed to reduce electricity outages and maintain essential services.
Pezeshkian called for greater energy conservation, improved public transportation and reduced fuel consumption. Government plans, he said, included encouraging remote work, reducing unnecessary commuting, importing fuel-efficient vehicles and electric motorcycles, and improving public transportation.
Inflation and living costs remain major concerns
On the economy and household pressures, Pezeshkian acknowledged that inflation and the rising cost of living remained major concerns.
He said the government was working to expand its food-subsidy program, known as the electronic food voucher, but was facing financial constraints. He also highlighted efforts to support housing for military personnel, university faculty members and vulnerable families.
The president further emphasized decentralization and the transfer of authority to provincial officials. Capable managers, he said, should be empowered regardless of their political affiliation.
Economic, industrial and administrative responsibilities should be entrusted to qualified professionals rather than individuals selected on the basis of factional considerations, he added.
Healthcare and reconstruction remain government priorities
Pezeshkian also addressed healthcare reform, including implementation of the family-doctor program, saying the initiative faced structural, financial and managerial obstacles.
He stressed that accountability and measurable standards were essential to improving healthcare delivery.
Addressing reconstruction efforts following the war, the president said thousands of schools were being built with public participation, while infrastructure repairs were continuing despite financial constraints.
National unity is Iran’s greatest strength
Concluding the interview, Pezeshkian said Iran’s greatest strength was its people and national unity.
He warned that internal divisions could undermine even the country’s military capabilities, while solidarity could help Iran overcome economic pressures, sanctions and the challenges resulting from the war.
The president's remarks placed national cohesion, regional diplomacy, economic resilience and continued dialogue at the center of his administration's approach to navigating the country's post-war challenges.
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