In Iran, Leader demands major industrial leap

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Opressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran’s current “valuable” industrial advancements are only the beginning, urging officials to aim for a major leap.

“In spite of valuable progress in the industrial field, [plans should be implemented] for a major leap toward improving the quality of domestic products relying on intensified work, effort and tireless pursuit,” Imam Ali Khamenei said after visiting the production line for a national diesel engine.

The Leader said Iran has managed to shed a “dangerous illusion” that industrial development alongside an intellectual life was impossible while adhering to spiritual, religious and moral values.

“We [have shown that we] can live logically and rationally while developing, in adherence to moral values and religious practices,” he said.

Imam Ali Khamenei said officials should take steps for the country to advance in all fields based on “Iranian thinking and initiatives,” adding that the Muslim world would welcome such developments.

He also cautioned officials to rectify export and import policies to prevent irregularities that would have a negative impact on the domestic industry.

“Abundance and inexpensiveness are pleasant but what is more important is the growth of the domestic industry … import gates should not be opened based on chimerical rationales,” the Leader said.

Imam Ali Khamenei expounded that the justification for importing goods is to improve the quality of domestically produced merchandise; however, there are better practices for achieving this objective.