Pezeshkian says pins hope on national support not foreign aid to overcome challenges
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday he only relied on the Iranian people, not outside assistance, to take on the country’s challenges and confront hostility from the United States and Israel.
“I have no hope in anyone except God and our own people,” Pezeshkian told academics and students at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran during an event marking National Student Day, according to his website president.ir.
He said it was a “false illusion” to think anyone outside Iran was willing to help the country.
“We concluded during domestic and foreign trips that apart from our dear people and apart from ourselves, no one can save us,” the president added.
Pezeshkian noted that those who were at odds with him or with his government were “not necessarily our opponents or enemies”.
“If we understand the importance of this issue and tolerate one another, we will no longer fight,” he added.
The president, however, complained about “unsupported criticisms” of his government’s efforts to resolve major issues, including measures like hiking petrol prices and addressing Iran’s growing energy shortages.
“In economic matters, all those who claim they can fix the situation should get into action…, not simply criticize. Instead of unsupported criticisms, they should come up with clear and practical proposals and solutions,” he said.
Pezeshkian called mere criticism of the status quo “insufficient” and urged that “everyone join hands” to take effective steps to settle problems.
The president said his government aimed to steer the country toward growth and development with the help and synergy of all bodies, organizations and competent individuals.
“We hope that with constructive cooperation we can get through the existing problems and witness positive changes in various economic, educational and industrial sectors,” he said.