President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for urgent measures to address the country’s water and energy imbalances, saying conservation and renewable energy were key to sustaining economic development.
Speaking at a ceremony marking National Industry and Mining Day on Tuesday, Pezeshkian said university experts had advised that Iran must save three billion cubic meters of water annually through efficiency measures.
“The water problem cannot be solved by issuing directives or writing prescriptions,” he said. “Specialized and coordinated efforts by those active in the sector are required.”
Pezeshkian said the government was pressing ahead with expanding solar panel deployment across the country. “We must move towards clean energy. Industrialists should focus on developing solar panels because without energy, development is meaningless,” he said.
The president added that while his government had repeatedly stressed that electricity and gas supplies to factories should not be cut, shortages had at times forced temporary disruptions.
He also underlined the central role of industry in national stability. “Order in the country is one of the blessings of trade and industry. Without industry, the very existence of the state would be at risk,” Pezeshkian said.