The President at the Economic Conference Hosted by Lorestan University: The Main Problem is the Accumulation of Unfinished Projects / We Do Not Give False Promises to the People

The President, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during his nineteenth provincial trip to Lorestan, in a meeting with investors and economic activists of this province hosted by Lorestan University, while outlining the government's actions in the field of energy, stated: The main problem we face is the accumulation of unfinished projects in the country. Currently, we have nearly 7 million billion Tomans of groundbreaking projects, some of which have been waiting for completion for 20 to 25 years.

Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the government's approach to avoiding sloganeering, stated: We have not yet passed a resolution in this government that we have not acted upon. We may not be able to fulfill all demands due to resource limitations, but every promise we make is based on the country's actual capabilities and resources. We do not give false promises to the people and consider honesty as the fundamental principle of interaction with the nation.

Pezeshkian, referring to the challenges in the energy sector at the beginning of the government, said: When we took over the government, we were facing a 25,000-megawatt energy deficit, of which 5,000 megawatts were related to the reduction in hydroelectric power plant production due to lack of rainfall, and 20,000 megawatts were electricity production deficit.

The President continued by pointing to the measures taken to address this imbalance and added: With jihadist work and investments, nearly 10,000 megawatts have been added to the country's electricity production capacity through solar power plants, combined cycle, and optimization of existing units.

Pezeshkian, stating that the situation this year has improved compared to last year, which was much more critical, noted: With the planning that has been done and with the help of the private sector, we hope to have no power outages in the residential sector by next summer.

The President, referring to the remarkable growth of the solar power plant industry in the country, said: The capacity of solar power plants has reached the threshold of 5,000 megawatts from one thousand megawatts at the beginning of the government's work, and another one thousand megawatts will be put into operation within the next month (Farvardin). This trend indicates the government's serious determination to solve the energy problem by using renewable energies.

Pezeshkian, in another part of his speech, criticizing the lengthy and cumbersome administrative processes, said: In this meeting, one of the economic activists rightly pointed out that bureaucracy in Iran resembles "ISIS". We are determined to cut off this trend and, for this reason, have put the delegation of authority to the provinces and the private sector on the agenda.

The President, addressing the economic activists present at the meeting, added: One of the investors complained about a 6-month delay in obtaining a permit for an 18,000 billion Toman project. We have given you the authority to make your own decisions and move the work forward. If we give authority, it is so that things do not get stuck in bureaucracy. If you believe that delegating authority is useless, then what is the solution? Do you want to get permission from above for the smallest decisions?

Pezeshkian emphasized: Our country has great capacities. We should not allow wrong bureaucracies to waste these assets. We are ready to pave the way for investment and production by delegating authority and not allowing projects to fail.

Pezeshkian, referring to the launch of more than 650 megawatts of wind energy in South Khorasan by a private investor, added: When we started the solar energy development program, I participated in two related exhibitions. In both cases, we were told that if you provide us with a $15 billion loan, we will produce 30,000 megawatts of clean energy and we will also invest 30 percent. But today, we are installing solar panels to produce 7,000 megawatts of solar energy with only $1.5 billion in capital.

The President, in the continuation of his speech, referring to the removal of preferential currency and the transfer of subsidies from the beginning of the chain (producers) to the end of the consumption chain (people), stated: In the past month, nearly 6 billion dollars have been traded in the market. Who was willing to sell their currency at a rate of 70,000 Tomans and then buy the same currency for 120 or 140 thousand Tomans? Obviously, in such circumstances, currency would not be offered to the market. The entry of inspection, the Court of Accounts, and the judiciary was also ineffective. Until we eliminate the roots, we cannot prevent rent-seeking, corruption, and smuggling.

Pezeshkian, posing the question of why a producer should be harmed due to the government's price controls, emphasized: The market should determine its price situation. If income and expenses do not match, production will not take place. Why are government-owned companies that are under government control losing money? Loss is not important to them, because someone else pays the cost of this loss.

The President, citing the statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the general policies of the system, added: Loss-making economic enterprises should be transferred. The government is pursuing the implementation of this policy and will do so.

He, emphasizing the government's determination to solve the country's problems with the help of producers, entrepreneurs, and academics, stated: If we look outside the country, there will be no solution. The solution is among us, if we believe that we can. Lorestan has many potential capacities. If you are facing legal limitations in the field of finance, we will solve its problem. We will take any action that is necessary to remove the obstacles in your way.

Pezeshkian added: The government is listening to your words and problems, and if we have power and authority, be sure that we will use it to remove the obstacles in your way. We consider ourselves servants of the people; we have come to serve the people, not to be in charge. I am proud to work for my country, although life as president is difficult for me. I was a free and unconstrained person and did my job, but now we have to move with caution and limitations to be protected. However, for the sake of Iran, I am willing to sacrifice my whole life and have no fear of martyrdom.

The President emphasized: I will not hesitate in any action to open the way for the country's development and I am ready to work day and night to serve the people and the country. You should also consider the limitations that the government is facing; it is not that we have and do not allocate it to this province or other provinces.

Pezeshkian said: We define expenses for which we have no money and, by creating expectations among the people, cause inflation. People are dissatisfied that why these actions have not been taken when the law has stated it. I was a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly for four terms and I know what we write and what is written.

The President, referring to the recommendations of some economic experts at the beginning of the government's work, added: At the same time, I told them that we will present the budget to the parliament in a month and a half; you review it in your working group and inform us so that it can be submitted to the parliament for approval. They left and never returned. First, it must be determined where these resources are provided, then how they are spent.

He, pointing out that electricity consumption in Iran is three times that of Europe, noted: 10 percent energy saving means preserving and storing 900,000 barrels of oil per day. Which of our problems does this figure not solve?

Pezeshkian, referring to the existence of consensus and cohesion between the government, parliament, and the judiciary, stated: I cannot make a promise and not keep it. If we do not have it, I will frankly say that we do not have it; and if we have it and can, we will resolutely pursue, pay, and implement it. We will implement all promises; if it is otherwise, say it.

The President emphasized: If you find financing for the implementation of projects, I will sign the contract today. Since the beginning of the work of the fourteenth government, people have claimed to invest 100, 200, or one thousand billion dollars, but they have not done so.

Pezeshkian continued: We welcome the investment of economic activists. We want to solve the problems of this country and the people with the help of you investors, producers, professors, and academics. Europe, America, and the criminal and genocidal Zionists do not want us to stand on our own feet, but we will stand on our own feet and we must also pay the cost for this.

The President concluded by emphasizing: If we are together, no power can prevent us from growth and development. We can solve the problems with your help and in this way, we will never give false promises to the people. We will try to be the servants of the people and I promise to follow up on your problems and solve them if I have them.

News data source:

1_ Young Journalists Club of the country.

2_ Tasnim News Agency.