SAEDNEWS: On Reporters’ Day, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref praised journalists for defending truth amid media manipulation and said his government has pursued structural economic reforms without harming public livelihood, while warning price gougers of legal action.
According to the political desk of Saeed News, on Reporters’ Day (August 7), Mohammad Reza Aref, in response to a question about what he would ask the First Vice President if he were a journalist today, said: As I have repeatedly stated, journalism—especially in countries like Iran where expectations are high—is among the most difficult professions, facing multiple and varied challenges.
The First Vice President emphasized: In times when the country is exposed to threats, distortion, and hybrid media warfare, journalists, with courage, intelligence, and professional commitment, keep the true narrative alive and do not allow realities to be buried under a storm of fabrication and rumors. If I were a journalist, my most important question for the First Vice President would be about the future of the country’s economic situation.
He stated: As the First Vice President, in response to this question, I would say that over the past year we have worked on implementing fundamental economic measures and structural reforms, with the important condition that public livelihood is not harmed, and that all government economic programs include a livelihood-supporting component.
Aref noted: The government’s economic performance has been generally acceptable. Of course, we have witnessed price increases, part of which was due to rising global prices. In some cases, we have also faced price gouging, which so far we have tried to address through advice. However, should price gouging continue, violators will face punitive and regulatory action.
