Iranian Official Calls for Economic Focus, Highlights National Resilience Against Hostile Plots
In a Friday sermon delivered in Kashmar, Hojjatoleslam Javad Taheri, the city’s Prayer Leader, addressed the nation’s current priorities, framing economic development as both a public demand and a strategic imperative. Speaking to a large congregation, Taheri emphasized that overcoming economic challenges is essential for maintaining national unity and countering foreign threats.
Psychological Warfare and Economic Resilience
Taheri detailed what he described as a multifaceted media and psychological war waged by adversaries. He asserted that these efforts, including attempts to create “Iran-phobia,” are designed to deter foreign investment and paralyze the country’s major decision-making processes. The official stated that such plots, despite significant financial backing from Israel and its supporters, had ultimately failed.
“Contrary to their goals,” Taheri said, “these attempts have not only been neutralized but have instead resulted in a decline of Israel’s credibility and a rise in Iran’s global standing.”
A Nation’s Primary Demand: Economic Solutions
Shifting focus to domestic affairs, the cleric underscored that the most pressing public demand is for solutions to economic and livelihood issues. He presented a clear directive for officials, stating that any neglect of the people’s welfare places them outside the public’s trust.
“The main demand of society today is to resolve economic problems,” Taheri emphasized. “Any official who neglects the livelihood of the people is not on the people’s side.”
A Three-Point Plan for Economic Progress
To address these challenges, Taheri outlined a three-point plan for national progress:
- Accountability of Officials: Ensuring the presence and responsiveness of government officials to the people’s needs.
- Economic Prioritization: Concentrating efforts and resources on key economic priorities.
- Project Execution: Taking decisive action to complete unfinished projects without delay.
Military Strength as a Foundation for Peace
Taheri also addressed regional tensions, stating there was no reason to fear an attack from Israel and warning that any such action would jeopardize its own existence. He pointed to the nation’s defensive preparedness as a critical asset that provides the security necessary to focus on economic and cultural development.
“Our armed forces have powerfully declared their capability,” he stated, noting that this military capacity serves as a backbone that allows the nation to concentrate on its economic and cultural work with confidence.
Investment as a Form of Resistance
In a direct appeal to local investors and elites, Taheri framed economic investment as a vital form of resistance. “Investing in the region is a type of struggle in the economic war,” he said. “Every new factory and job acts like a missile against the enemy.”
Concluding his remarks, Taheri highlighted the complementary tools of national unity and active diplomacy, urging the Foreign Ministry to open new paths for strengthening Iran’s global position. The ultimate solution, he reaffirmed, lies in “strong work and decisive action” by officials to earn and maintain public trust.
