VP pushes for rapid reconstruction, economic relief after war damage
Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref on Tuesday called for enhanced coordination among state agencies to accelerate reconstruction of war-damaged assets.
In separate meetings with the ministers of science and economy and the heads of the Department of Environment and National Standards Organization, he also urged efforts to reduce economic pressure on citizens while receiving reports on damages from the recent conflict.
According to IRNA, Aref announced during a meeting with Science Minister Hossein Simaie that 32 scientific centers and universities nationwide had been damaged in the US-Israeli war that began February 28, with Sharif University of Technology, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology and Shahid Beheshti University sustaining the most severe losses.
The first vice president made the remarks as part of ongoing government sessions to coordinate recovery efforts.
Aref stressed the necessity of rapidly reviving Iran's scientific infrastructure.
During a meeting with the head of the Department of Environment, officials presented a report on environmental damage resulting from the destruction of certain industries, buildings, and areas under the organization's management, as well as harm caused by oil tank explosions. The organization's programs in air pollution monitoring, water resources protection, hazardous waste management, and biodiversity conservation were also outlined.
In a separate session with the head of the National Standards Organization, a report detailed the body's actions regarding supervision of basic goods quality, fuel and energy quality control, enhancing safety in sensitive industries, and combating fraud.
Aref emphasized that compliance with standards and safety protocols during the reconstruction process was the government's "red line," adding that sustainable reconstruction would not be possible without precise oversight. He also underscored government support for cooperation among the Standards Organization, the Department of Environment, and the private sector.
In a meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Madanizadeh, officials presented a report on measures taken in tax, customs, and banking sectors. These included postponement of certain customs guarantees, tax support for small and medium-sized enterprises, accelerated insurance payments for residential damage, and the initiation of damage assessments for large industries.
“Economic pressure on people and businesses must be minimized," Aref said, stressing the necessity of maintaining the country's economic stability.