U.S., Israel Exploit Iran’s Challenges Without Genuine Concern

TEHRAN (Iran News) “It is undeniable that Israel and the US take advantage of our country’s situation. They have done nothing but create problems for us. Their hearts are not with Iran,” Pezeshkian said Thursday in a meeting with intellectuals, political, social, and cultural figures in the northern province of Golestan.

Referring to the recent riots, Pezeshkian added, “During the recent events, Trump and Netanyahu beat the drum of protests. Did they intend to solve our nation’s problems? Has anyone other than them caused issues for us? They have blocked all our paths, frozen our transactions, and obstructed our work, while telling some inside the country that they want to ‘save’ us.”

On Jan. 8 and 9 protests initially sparked by economic grievances turned into unruly scenes of mayhem and destruction. Armed groups infiltrated the demonstrations, leading to damage to shops, government buildings and public facilities, as well as casualties among civilians and security forces.

Iranian authorities confirmed that American and Israeli spy agencies were directly involved, providing funding, training, and media support to the perpetrators.

According to a statement last month by Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, a total of 3,117 people lost their lives during the riots, including 2,427 innocent civilians and security personnel.

The president stressed the importance of national unity in overcoming challenges, saying, “A great wound has been created. We must repair and heal it with unity and cohesion, not deepen it with division and discord, which only increases the country’s problems.”

Pezeshkian also highlighted the longstanding pressure Iran has faced, asserting that those who themselves commit genocide “speak of humanity and human rights, and accuse us of massacre and plunder.”

He noted that since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, “all kinds of pressures and conspiracies have been applied to prevent us from serving the people properly.”

“Our responsibility is to understand the situation and continue serving the people despite all the pressures,” he further said.

Meanwhile referring to public evaluations of officials and the administrative system, the President stated that dissatisfaction with the system in the country is high, and public services are inadequate, leaving citizens dissatisfied with government performance.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the responsibility of all managers and officials is to serve and properly respond to the people. He said, “Officials must perform their duties correctly. During recent incidents, there were grounds for public protests, which Israel and the U.S. exploited, creating challenges for us.”

He added, “Unfortunately, public satisfaction with our system is low. Properly addressing citizens’ concerns and solving their problems depends on how we interact with them. If people are dissatisfied, the problem lies with us, not abroad. If we serve correctly, citizens will not be unhappy. This means that both the government and managers must recognize the reality and strive to be accountable.”

He noted that in sectors such as health, education, and many others, public satisfaction is not adequate. Provincial managers and officials must respond kindly and work to resolve issues. This does not require intervention from the capital but depends on their behavior and approach.

“The people want accountability and proper conduct from us, and this is the responsibility of our managers. If citizens are dissatisfied, it indicates a problem. We must show that we are trying to serve them, and even if we cannot fully solve their problems, they will be satisfied if they see our genuine effort,” Pezeshkian said.

Addressing reports of patients paying unofficial fees to some doctors, he said, “This issue stems from our performance. Those committing such acts claim the government does not reach the people. We need to reform these management practices and be responsive to citizens.”

The President stressed that “we should not fear stating the truth but should fear hiding it.” On the issue of cyberspace, he said, “Filtering only conceals the problem. The reality is that with VPNs, people can access all content, often worse than before. We cannot escape reality. Blocking content does not solve the problem; it pushes youth further in that direction.”

He added, “We must face reality and find solutions. Ignoring the issue does not help. Even among young people in mosques and religious circles, many use VPNs. Filtering channels nearly 30 trillion rials into the pockets of VPN providers.”

Pezeshkian emphasized, “Who says I cannot guide youth in this space with faith, truth, and justice? Officials should serve as models of honesty, integrity, fairness, and efficiency. Criticism should be welcomed, not feared. If I have faults, they must be addressed.” “U.S.”

He urged officials to embrace criticism rather than avoid it, stating, “If I am at fault, I must hear it and correct it. We cannot just demand praise. Hearing the truth is part of our duty to act based on justice and fairness.” “U.S.”

Highlighting the importance of employee satisfaction, Pezeshkian said public satisfaction is tied to the contentment of government staff. “If capable employees are sidelined and positions are given based on political affiliation, dissatisfaction will grow,” he warned. “U.S.”

He also cited provincial data showing that many citizens’ rights have been neglected. “We have fully implemented all decrees during our visits, but unfulfilled commitments from the past 20 years fall on those who failed to act. As the Quran says, it is highly reprehensible to speak and not act.”