Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, secretary of Iran’s Guardian Council, called on government officials to make solving the economic hardships of ordinary citizens their foremost priority. Speaking at the start of a council meeting, Jannati highlighted the urgent need to address issues affecting livelihoods, saying that public welfare must be central to official action.
Iran economy and livelihoods: officials urged to act
Jannati linked his appeal to a wider narrative of national resilience. He congratulated the nation on the birthday of Imam Muhammad al-Taqi and said the Imam’s life had reinforced the values and teachings of Islamic leadership. Jannati argued that the moral and governing example of Imam Ali offers a practical measure by which to judge the conduct of rulers and public officials.
The Guardian Council secretary warned that Iran faces a sustained campaign by external powers aimed at undermining its independence and dignity. He described this as a combined or hybrid war that targets the economy and the morale of the population. According to Jannati, these adversaries are unable to conceal their anger at what he called the heroic and aware response of the Iranian people during a recent 12-day conflict, and they seek both to punish and to intimidate the nation.
Against that backdrop, Jannati insisted that the primary responsibility of all officials is to ease the economic pressures felt by households across the country. He urged policymakers to focus on tangible improvements to livelihoods, including stabilising prices, supporting employment and ensuring that social safety nets reach those most in need. He said effective governance and attention to economic realities were essential to sustaining public resolve.
Religious observance and civic cohesion were central themes in Jannati’s remarks. He noted the approaching anniversary of Imam Ali’s birth and praised the virtues embodied by that figure in Islamic history. Jannati said that recalling these virtues remains an unavoidable duty for sincere followers and that the teachings provide a standard for justice and governance.
In the closing portion of his address, Jannati drew attention to the growing popularity of i’tikaf, the spiritual retreat practised in the month of Rajab. He described the ceremony as a deeply spiritual exercise rooted in Islamic pedagogy and welcomed the increasing participation of young people. The Guardian Council secretary argued that the strong turnout of youth in mosques during i’tikaf demonstrated a rejection of cultural schemes he attributes to hostile actors and reflected a renewal of faith among the new generation.
Jannati’s comments combine appeals to moral authority, national solidarity and practical policymaking. By framing economic relief as a moral obligation, he sought to put pressure on officials to pursue measures that would improve daily life for Iranians while maintaining a narrative of resistance to external pressure.
Key Takeaways:
- Guardian Council secretary Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati urged officials to prioritise resolving economic and livelihood problems.
- Jannati tied religious observances to national resilience and praised public steadfastness during a recent 12-day conflict.
- He warned that external adversaries remain intent on punishing Iran for popular defiance and called for unity against combined hostile measures.
- Religious rites such as i’tikaf attracted growing youth participation, which Jannati said counters cultural subversion.
