Ankara: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that recent US and Israeli attacks have caused significant damage to the country's power plants, disrupting nearly 230 million cubic meters of daily gas production. Despite the setbacks, the government managed to avoid widespread electricity outages.
According to Anadolu Agency, Pezeshkian addressed the nation, revealing that when his administration took office, Iran had energy reserves of 1.2 billion liters, which were projected to last only until November. The government was able to manage the situation effectively through strategic planning, management, and the cooperation of the public.
Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of national unity, praising citizens for reducing electricity and gas consumption during the crisis. He highlighted the administration's initial plan to install 30,000 megawatts of solar power capacity, which was hindered by ongoing conflicts and blockades, yet expressed determination to exceed the current development plan's goal of 12,000 megawatts of new solar capacity.
Despite the attacks on power plants and gas production, Pezeshkian reassured the public that power outages were minimal. The government is actively working on measures to prevent power cuts in industrial facilities and workshops, particularly as they prepare for winter with plans to counteract the daily gas shortfall.
Acknowledging the impact of sanctions, Pezeshkian noted that reduced oil exports have strained Iran's foreign currency earnings, posing economic challenges. He stressed the need for innovative solutions to mitigate these issues and highlighted efforts to strengthen ties with neighboring countries as a means of opening new avenues for economic collaboration.
The president also addressed the recent conflict, stating that one objective had been to incite unrest in Iran's northwestern and southeastern regions. However, neighboring countries played a crucial role in thwarting these efforts. He recounted the escalation of regional tensions on February 28, when coordinated attacks by Israel and the US targeted Iran's military, nuclear, and energy infrastructure, prompting retaliatory measures from Tehran.
The hostilities subsided on June 18, following a memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the US, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, which initiated negotiations towards a final agreement. However, discussions have since stalled due to disagreements over maritime security and navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz.