Rewritten Title: Vice President Masoud Pezeshkian Lauds National Unity, Condemns Expatriate “Merchants of Despair”
In a televised address concluding his official visit to West Azerbaijan province, Vice President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a powerful message centered on national solidarity, developmental promises, and a firm condemnation of what he described as disloyal elements abroad.
A Tapestry of Harmony
Dr. Pezeshkian detailed his extensive meetings with local experts, political figures, and cultural elites, emphasizing that the core theme was “accord, empathy, and cohesion among different sectors and individuals.” He praised West Azerbaijan as a “rainbow of ethnicities and religions,” highlighting that the province has largely succeeded in forging a peaceful coexistence and a spirit of fellowship. “Those who live here,” he noted, “can more easily accept different opinions and tastes and live side-by-side.”
A Pledge for Development and Education
Acknowledging that the province lags in various development indicators, the Vice President declared a firm resolve to rectify the situation. “We are determined to resolve this situation with the help of the province’s managers, clergy, political figures, and residents,” he stated. A significant focus was placed on education, with a pledge to eliminate substandard classrooms. “We are in the process of equipping all state schools and updating their facilities,” he said, following discussions with the provincial governor.
Dr. Pezeshkian framed this educational investment as a national priority, asserting, “Our belief in the government is in the immense value of Iran’s children, whom we count on more than the country’s copper, gold, oil, and gas mines. If we can educate our children properly, they will be more valuable to us than any mine.”
Major Financial Allocations and Infrastructure Projects
To address developmental gaps, the Vice President announced a substantial allocation of approximately 19 trillion tomans in construction credits for the province during this and the next year. He added that 18 trillion tomans in banking facilities had been designated, and through the efforts of the governor, 68 trillion tomans in investments were taking shape. He also pointed to promising agreements surrounding the North-South Corridor, a project he said would bring significant investment and fundamentally improve regional transit if realized.
A Firm Stance Against Foreign-Based Detractors
Striking a political and patriotic chord, Dr. Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to the people of the province for their unity during what he termed an “ungentlemanly war,” which he stated was instigated by global imperialism and provoked by Israel to create discord within the country.
He then issued a stern rebuke to certain Iranians living abroad. “Those who sit outside the country and pump despair and frustration, making irrelevant statements, are self-selling individuals who stand behind an Israel that bombs our dear Iranian people and slaughters humans in Gaza, yet they speak of Iran’s rights,” he declared. “They should be ashamed of their behavior and not claim to care for this country.” He affirmed that no Iranian would willingly cede even an inch of their homeland to foreigners.
Addressing Regional and National Challenges
On the issue of Lake Urmia’s restoration, the Vice President reported that several memoranda of understanding had been signed, engaging international organizations to share expertise and mobilizing local universities and public institutions to find scientific, financial, and economic solutions.
He also addressed the nation’s energy deficit, citing a shortfall of over 20,000 megawatts. To combat this, he outlined a strategy to move away from the inconsistent practice of diverting gas from factories to households by aggressively developing solar, thermal, combined-cycle, and wind power plants, for which contracts have already been secured for thousands of megawatts of new capacity.
The Vice President’s comprehensive address painted a picture of a government focused on internal development and unity while taking a definitive stand against external criticism it views as illegitimate and harmful.
