According to president.ir, Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday during a meeting with investors and business leaders in Qazvin Province, that continued direct dialogue between the government and the country’s economic sectors is essential. He said the administration has established a regular schedule for monthly consultations with chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs, and leaders in industrial and petrochemical sectors.

He noted that two such meetings have been held so far and the third is being planned. The purpose, he said, is to identify challenges and develop actionable solutions so relevant ministries can work alongside producers to remove obstacles and implement specific policies.

Support for Businesses and the Private Sector

The president said that in previous years, oil revenues caused many parts of the economy to drift away from their core functions, relying on oil sales instead of industry and production. “Now that oil sales have become more difficult, the need to return to production and support industry has become even clearer,” he said.

Pezeshkian added that once managerial thinking is corrected and the business environment is improved for industrialists, producers, and investors, sanctions will lose much of their effectiveness. He said the Supreme Leader has repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen the economy through production and industrial investment. “If this approach had been properly implemented, no global power could have restricted Iran’s economy.”

He said the National Unity Government is committed to working with economic actors to identify real solutions for boosting production and investment.

 Industrial Development Hinges on Reliable Electricity

Addressing the country’s energy and power issues, the president said last year’s electricity imbalance reached about 20,000 megawatts. Reduced rainfall and lower output from hydroelectric plants removed another 12,000 to 14,000 megawatts from the grid, creating a total shortage of about 30,000 megawatts. “In these conditions, we must rely on efficiency, effort, and consumption reform to stabilize energy supply,” he said.

Pezeshkian said improved processes have lowered consumption and increased production. He added that solar capacity has seen significant growth: while the country had only about 1,000 megawatts of installed solar capacity in recent years, about 3,000 megawatts of new solar power plants have now come online, with total capacity expected to reach 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts by year-end.

He warned that industrial expansion without reliable power infrastructure is unrealistic. “A factory cannot open without secure electricity. We must first stabilize energy production to ensure projects succeed,” he said.

 Overcoming Crises Through Collective Resolve

The president recalled the difficult circumstances at the start of the National Unity Government, saying the administration faced numerous crises and pressures from the first day. “Despite new obstacles emerging daily, we chose the path of reform with determination. There is collective will to overcome these hardships,” he said.

Pezeshkian said cooperation across all branches of government is essential to resolving the country's imbalances. “Criticism alone will not solve anything. Every sector—from government to parliament, from industry to trade—is facing challenges. The correct path is to follow the Supreme Leader’s guidance, pursue shared goals, and move decisively toward reform and growth,” he said.

He added that top officials and lawmakers are aligned in their support for production and investment. He said a recent decision calls for forming a joint team with representatives from chambers of commerce, industrial leaders, and the judiciary to prevent unfair rulings and unexpected detentions of producers.

 Gradual Reduction of Household Gas Use to boost Industry

The president said the country must no longer rely solely on oil, gas, and gasoline. He pointed to solar energy as a permanent and clean resource that can support Iran’s future energy needs. Solar expansion is being accelerated in Qazvin Province and nationwide, he said, to ensure stable power and support domestic production.

Pezeshkian said significant progress has been made in addressing the energy crisis. “Last year at this time, we faced widespread power outages. But now, with precise management, electricity is stable and gas supply is also being reorganized,” he said.

The government plans to gradually reduce household gas consumption and replace it with electricity, he said, to redirect gas toward industry and generate greater national added value. He added that this shift will also help protect the environment.

 Subsidy Reform to Support Efficient Production

The president said the government's policy in industrial sectors, including automotive manufacturing, is to support production of low-consumption and hybrid vehicles. Industry, he said, must move toward minimizing fuel use. “Vehicles that consume 10 or even 25 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers will no longer be supported,” he said.

Pezeshkian stressed that subsidies must support efficient production rather than excessive consumption. “Gasoline is purchased at more than 60,000 tomans per liter and sold at a very low price. This imbalance is irrational. We must begin the reform process to stabilize livelihoods,” he said.

He added that the government is moving forward decisively to resolve national challenges in water, industry, and energy. “May God grant us success so that, with national unity and trust, Iran advances toward dignity, development, and prosperity,” he said.