TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian here Monday underscored Iran’s resilience against sanctions, emphasizing that with its 16 neighboring countries, it cannot be easily isolated or crippled. 
Speaking at a nationwide meeting with provincial governors, Pezeshkian highlighted the critical role of regional cooperation and a neighborhood-based management model to tackle domestic challenges and reduce energy imbalances.
“If we manage relations with our neighbors well, we can overcome pressures,” Pezeshkian said. “We do not seek to impose our will on others but will not bow to coercion. We will protect our sovereignty with unity and cooperation.”
He stressed that his government’s focus on justice is not meant to deepen divisions but to foster unity and end disputes within society. 
“We declared justice as the core slogan of this government not to create new conflicts, but to bring people together around shared values,” he said.
Pezeshkian described the neighborhood management model as a vital tool to maximize local talents and public participation in governance. 
He said this decentralized approach enables more effective pursuit of Iran’s strategic goals, including becoming a leading regional power.
With the cold season approaching, Pezeshkian highlighted the urgency of managing energy consumption to mitigate shortages aggravated by sanctions. 
“If we reduce energy use by just 10 percent, it equals saving 800,000 barrels of oil,” he noted, emphasizing that such outcomes require community involvement rather than top-down mandates.
He urged governors to address the needs of all citizens impartially and to ensure the government’s efforts reach every corner of the country. 
“The main goal of the neighborhood management plan is to mobilize effective and serious participation of the people in running the country,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian also called on the Minister of Interior to convene a meeting with border province governors to enhance cross-border cooperation with neighboring states. 
“A country like Iran, with 16 neighbors, cannot be easily sanctioned. Properly managing these relationships can help us overcome external pressures,” he said.
He reaffirmed Iran’s stance against coercion: “We do not intend to impose on others, but we will never bow to bullying. We have no designs on anyone’s land, but those who covet Iran will face our united and coordinated response.”
Governors from various provinces reported on their progress in implementing the neighborhood governance program, highlighting its role in improving public services and fostering social cohesion amid economic and political pressures.