Speaking Thursday during a visit to the counties of Qarchak, Varamin, Pishva, and Pakdasht in Tehran Province, Pezeshkian stressed the need to balance development with natural resources in a meeting with local officials. "If this perspective is adopted, we will avoid mistakes in planning," he said.

Highlighting the importance of equilibrium between resources, supply, and demand, the president added, "Resources like water, electricity, and gas are national assets that require rational management and planning. We cannot ignore capacities and blindly focus on development. Otherwise, we will face crises such as shortages of water, electricity, and gas, which must be prevented."

Pezeshkian warned against the challenges of unbalanced development, stating, "Growth without proper planning and based on flawed decisions will lead the country into crisis. Development must align with real capacities and responsible resource use. We cannot continue on this path without considering natural limits and then be surprised by crises caused by poor management."

The president pointed to imbalances in various energy sectors, saying, "One of the country's major issues is the imbalance in water, electricity, gas, gasoline, and diesel. We are consuming resources beyond scientific and regional standards. Our gas consumption is even higher than that of wealthy European countries, despite their superior financial capacity and efficient energy management."

He emphasized that the first step toward addressing this issue is rationalizing consumption. "We must use resources according to our needs, not excessively. If we consume energy for lighting or heating, it should meet our needs, not overheat or over-illuminate homes and offices. Many developed countries provide favorable living conditions with minimal energy use, while we sit on abundant resources and waste them due to poor planning."

Fundamental shift needed in management, culture

Pezeshkian stressed that resolving this imbalance requires public cooperation, adding, "If we address this issue properly, we could save nearly $120 to $150 billion annually in oil, gas, electricity, and other resources. Including water waste, the scale of resource loss becomes even more apparent. This situation demands a fundamental shift in managerial and cultural attitudes."

Warning against the consequences of ignoring resource crises, he said, "This soil, these borders, this land belong to us. If we do not take action to preserve them, no one else will."

The president highlighted the importance of resource management and public participation in reforming consumption patterns, stating, "Achieving national dignity and progress requires collective cooperation. Without unity and shared understanding, sustainable development is impossible. Structural reforms will only be effective if the public participates and implements changes in their lifestyles."

Criticizing irrational energy consumption, Pezeshkian noted, "Today, the country faces severe imbalances in water, electricity, gas, and fuel consumption. Some families overheat their homes without considering the broader context, while others lack even basic heating. The same pattern is seen in summer, with high-consumption air conditioners running all day and windows left open. These behaviors need correction, and we cannot expect improvement without a change in mindset."

He emphasized the need for a shift in approach, saying, "Without reforms in energy consumption, we cannot expect these problems to be resolved. Change will not occur until individuals feel the consequences of their mistakes. We must not allow resource waste to continue. We need to align consumption with our capacities and make the best use of available resources. By correcting behaviors and leveraging technical knowledge, we can maximize the use of limited resources."

In closing, Pezeshkian underscored the role of unity and planning in overcoming crises, stating, "Addressing economic challenges and existing imbalances is only possible through sound decision-making, principled planning, and precise policy implementation. If we work together, we can overcome these crises and pave the way for development."