Pezeshkian says unity best way to tackle economic problems

The speech was broadcast live on IRIB Channel One news program, radio and news networks (IRIB Channel 6) between 10-11 p.m. on Saturday evening.

The tonight speech was the first of its kind since President Pezeshkian assumed office after being sworn in as the ninth Iran's president almost a month ago.

At the start of his speech, the new Iranian president said that people's satisfaction with his administration's policies and performance matters a lot to him.

Pezeshkian reiterated his call on the different political groups in Iran to set aside their differences to serve the people in the best way. "So far, we have made out utmost efforts to form a national unity government," he said. He said that his national consensus cabinet consists of individuals from the former government of Martyr Ebrahim Raeisi, his predecessor Hassan Rouhani and the Reformists.

In response to a question about curbing the inflation rate in Iran's economy, Pezeshkian said that his economic team is working coordinately to tackle people's economic problems through proper planning. He further stressed the need for maintaining national consensus to address people's concerns in the economic sphere as the best possible way.

The president also linked the economy to foreign policy and said that engagement and trade with the neighboring countries and the entire world is a way to solve the economic problems, saying that planning needs to be made to attract foreign investment.

He noted that in order to achieve 8% economic growth, $100 billion needs to be attracted both from inside and outside the country.

President said that he will hold his first press conference with journalists next week. 

He called for equal opportunities for students in the university entrance exams, saying that justice must be observed in dealing with average marks of students who come from developed and underdeveloped areas. 

He promised that his administration would work to solve the problems faced by farmers, teachers, nurses and medical care personnel in the country.

In response to a question about his foreign trips to other countries, he said that Iraq would be his first destination, followed by his trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in September.

 As regards social space and social media, Pezeshkian said that his cabinet will prepare a comprehensive program about cyberspace.

KI