President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Iranian women to play a leading role in social transformation, emphasizing innovation, determination, public participation and constructive ideas as essential drivers of national progress.
Speaking at the “Today’s Women, Tomorrow’s Iran” meeting with women activists and experts from various fields on Wednesday, President Pezeshkian said Iran’s recent resistance demonstrated the nation’s resilience in confronting bullying by powerful countries. He praised the Iranian people and armed forces for their sacrifices, saying national unity and public solidarity had helped Iran withstand pressure and remain strong.
President Pezeshkian rejected gender-based differences in human potential, citing Quranic teachings that emphasize knowledge, creativity, effort and good deeds regardless of whether a person is a man or woman. He said humanity’s pursuit of knowledge and service should guide individual and social life.
The president described differences of opinion as natural, recalling his university experience, and urged women activists to use innovation and determination to promote constructive concepts and improve people’s quality of life. He contrasted those who sacrifice humanity for power with individuals who use knowledge and conviction to improve the lives of others.
President Pezeshkian also criticized the gap between words and actions, saying people judge officials by their performance and that behavior speaks louder than slogans. He called for social initiatives to be based on sound principles and public participation rather than dependence on government structures, while emphasizing education as a foundation for implementing practical programs.
He stressed synergy and coordination among different groups, urging greater use of experts’ experience, local capacities in neighborhoods, schools and mosques, and sound management principles.
He also highlighted environmental protection, warning that inappropriate urban population concentration and harmful treatment of nature could produce serious consequences.
President Pezeshkian said that, in meetings with the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, officials had emphasized the importance of adhering to environmental principles and preventing excessive or inappropriate population concentration in cities.
President Pezeshkian said that reinforcing grassroots institutions is a government priority. He encouraged the use of social volunteers’ ideas and cooperation among people with different views and beliefs, arguing that practical problem-solving should take precedence over competition for positions.
Addressing international issues, the president said defending Iran’s territorial integrity remains essential, but war is not the country’s objective.
President Pezeshkian noted that the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution and all officials remained steadfast and committed to their responsibilities to the very end, while those claiming to champion democracy and human rights sought to spread rumors and create the impression that officials were fleeing.
He said the government’s priorities include addressing vulnerable groups, particularly female-headed households, securing young people’s future, ending war, lifting blockades, releasing frozen assets and subsequently pursuing nuclear talks.
He stressed that negotiations should not be construed as surrender, saying Iranian authorities would pursue them from a position of strength, guided by wisdom, dignity and national interests.
President Pezeshkian also cited China’s economic competition as an example of national strength and stressed the importance of patriotism, public service and appreciation for people’s solidarity during difficult times.
Concluding his remarks, he said the government’s school-building campaign aims beyond constructing facilities, seeking to develop young people’s talents, education, teamwork and problem-solving abilities through greater cooperation among sectors.