Pezeshkian: Diplomacy-Driven Economic Gains to Fund Iran's Infrastructure, Development Projects

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said any economic gains resulting from improving international conditions would be invested in strengthening the country's infrastructure and financing development projects. Speaking at a joint meeting with border management and road construction officials in West Azarbaijan Province, Pezeshkian said development should be aligned with available resources, warning that expansion without regard for existing capacities could create serious long-term challenges.

He also called for a comprehensive strategy to manage water, soil and regional resources as part of efforts to restore Lake Urmia, one of the Middle East's largest salt lakes, whose shrinking water levels have raised environmental concerns for years. "The continuation of life in this region depends on balancing resources and consumption, reforming cultivation patterns, controlling water-intensive industries and strengthening oversight," Pezeshkian said.

The president rebuked what he described as a lack of reliable data and coordinated planning among some government agencies, saying effective management required accurate information on livestock, water resources, grazing capacity and regional development plans. He said policymakers should assess whether crops currently being cultivated are suitable for local conditions and whether they will have viable markets in the future, arguing that sound decision-making must precede effective implementation.

Hailing efforts to reduce water consumption through improved irrigation as valuable, Pezeshkian said changing irrigation methods alone would not solve the problem if unsuitable crops continued to be grown. He said scientific assessments should determine which crops should remain and where cultivation patterns should change. Pezeshkian added that lasting behavioral change would require government policies, financial incentives, regulations and resource allocation to work in the same direction, with the aim of preserving Lake Urmia, supporting local livelihoods and promoting sustainable regional development. - Iran Daily