Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, in continuation of an interview whose second part was published by the state news agency IRNA on Thursday, said: “For 47 years, we have wanted to do things properly, but every time they say it’s not the time yet.”

In this section of his extensive interview with IRNA, Mr. Pezeshkian discussed the obstacles to reform in the fields of industry and the economy and infrastructure, and said: “The result is that we are sinking deeper and deeper into a swamp. We are forced to carry out reforms. If we do not do things properly in the areas of water, electricity, gas, gasoline, and diesel, the problems will become greater. Every time we want to get involved in these issues, they say, ‘Don’t touch it now, because if you do, the noise will get loud.’ Well, when should we touch it? When we have drowned ourselves, the country is ruined, and everyone loses?”

In another part of the conversation, the Iranian president referred to the way managers are selected and said: “We must use more capable, more knowledgeable, and more efficient people—not more political ones, or those who are apparently more ‘Hezbollah-like.’”

🎥 IRNA