TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the capabilities of the Defense Ministry and the country’s armed forces could play a key role in addressing structural economic imbalances and supporting national development goals.
Speaking at a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s Strategic Council, Pezeshkian emphasized that the technical and human-resource capacities of the armed forces could be harnessed “to help resolve problems and manage the country’s imbalances.” 
He added that these capacities could help align the efforts of various state sectors and maximize their combined effectiveness.
“With regard to the missions of the Defense Ministry, this ministry can play an effective role in coordinating and complementing the capacities of different sectors of the country and utilizing its achievements in construction, technical, and infrastructure fields,” Pezeshkian said.
The president’s remarks came as the Strategic Council convened with Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh briefing on the ministry’s plans to expand national defense capabilities, enhance cooperation with public and private sectors, and facilitate technology transfer and joint industrial projects. 
Nasirzadeh also outlined the ministry’s actions during the June 12-day war with Israel and the support provided to Iran’s armed forces.
Pezeshkian visited sites damaged during the conflict and paid respects at the Tomb of Unknown Martyrs, highlighting the symbolic role of national sacrifice in shaping the country’s security and resilience.
The president drew parallels between the current economic challenges and Iran’s historical experience in mobilizing society during the 1980–88 war with Iraq. 
“Just as different sectors of society came together to defend the country during that period, today resolving the country’s problems requires practical, jihadist-style management, not theory alone,” he said.
Pezeshkian also criticized adversaries’ attempts to exploit economic pressures to fuel public dissatisfaction. 
“The enemy knows that a military attack alone cannot bring down the Islamic Republic,” he said. “They try to exacerbate economic problems and imbalances to intensify discontent.”
He highlighted inefficiencies in Iran’s administrative system, describing a “bloated administrative structure” and its associated costs as key drivers of chronic budget deficits. 
“It is unacceptable to fund an administrative system, pay its staff, and yet see public dissatisfaction with the quality of services,” he said, urging reforms to improve efficiency and productivity as the government prepares next year’s budget.
Pezeshkian stressed the importance of national unity and cohesion in overcoming economic and structural challenges. 
“For 47 years we have focused on changing individuals rather than fixing root causes. We must begin reforms with ourselves. This is the path that the fourteenth government has chosen,” he said.
He also underscored the role of Iran’s armed forces beyond military matters. 
“The armed forces have remarkable capacities in human resources, and their capabilities can provide significant assistance to the government in addressing economic problems and managing imbalances in resources and expenditures,” Pezeshkian said.
The Strategic Council meeting was attended by senior Defense Ministry officials and representatives from various state sectors. 
The session underscored the government’s focus on leveraging the armed forces’ capacities to support economic stability, enhance administrative efficiency, and strengthen the country’s resilience in the face of domestic and external pressures.