Addressing a ceremony to start the operation of 157 oil and energy projects during his second visit to the southern province of Hormozgan, the president said the country sustains a major loss by selling raw materials.

Raeisi pointed to a nuclear power plant megaproject in Sirik announced by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head, describing the 5,000 MW plant establishment as important to the country’s economy and progress.

The launch of these plants helps the country take a large step toward promoting economic independence, he underlined.