Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his administration is expanding regional cooperation, strengthening domestic infrastructure, and accelerating railway development to counter the impact of sanctions while maintaining economic stability and public services.
Speaking about Iran's regional policy, President Pezeshkian said closer ties with neighboring countries have helped expand trade despite financial restrictions. He noted that while banking limitations have made money transfers difficult, barter trade has become one of the alternatives for maintaining commercial exchanges.
The president also praised neighboring countries for their security cooperation, saying they prevented attempts by hostile groups to enter Iran from border regions and create unrest during recent periods of conflict and tension. He described this cooperation as an important achievement made possible through regional coordination and national unity.
President Pezeshkian said building unity and cooperation both with neighboring countries and within Iran was neither easy nor accidental, but had played a crucial role in frustrating plans aimed at destabilizing the country. He credited the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution with providing strong support for the government and its policies during critical periods, saying his guidance and backing helped the administration overcome major challenges.
Whenever officials faced difficulties, they turned to the martyred Leader, and he supported them with all his strength, Pezeshkian said. He added that Iran's resilience was the result of those policies, strategic direction, and guidance, and said the current Leader continues to encourage national unity and cohesion, helping the country address its challenges.
Addressing the impact of sanctions, President Pezeshkian said that restrictions on oil exports have reduced Iran's foreign currency earnings but stressed that the government is working with economists, academics, business professionals, chambers of commerce, and industry representatives to minimize economic challenges.
The officials have not solved every problem, but they are working together to reduce the impact of challenges, he said, adding that many foreign observers had expected Iran's economy to collapse under mounting pressure but had been surprised by its resilience.
The president said public cooperation has also played a key role in managing energy demand. He noted that nearly 7,000 megawatts of solar power capacity has already been added to the national grid, with further expansion underway. Despite damage to power plants and disruptions affecting approximately 230 million cubic meters of daily gas production, Iran has largely avoided widespread electricity outages, he said, adding that the government aims to prevent power cuts for industries and ensure stable energy supplies during the coming winter.
President Pezeshkian emphasized that expanding rail transportation remains one of his administration's top infrastructure priorities. He said the more than 600-kilometer Chabahar–Zahedan railway is scheduled to open during Government Week (August 23-29) despite delays caused by attacks on steel production facilities. The line will eventually connect to Sarakhs, strengthening Iran's national transport corridor.
He also announced that land acquisition for the Rasht–Astara railway has been completed and that construction is expected to proceed with Russian participation. In addition, the Tehran–Cheshmeh Sorayya railway linking Tabriz to Turkey is moving toward contractor selection.
The president said metropolitan rail and metro expansion projects connecting Tehran with surrounding cities, including Eslamshahr, Qods, Robat Karim, and Shahriar, are expected to reduce traffic congestion, cut fuel consumption, shorten travel times, and improve air quality.
President Pezeshkian also said that empowering local authorities is essential for improving governance. He added that provincial officials successfully managed the arrival of millions of people in northern provinces during recent attacks by the US and the Israeli regime without major shortages of fuel, bread, or essential goods, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated local decision-making.