SAEDNEWS: The President, expressing gratitude for the presence of artists on stage under current circumstances, stated: “In this foggy atmosphere, bitter events occurred, yet artists took the stage in such conditions, which is commendable.”
According to the political desk of Saed News, the 152nd meeting of the Iranian Cabinet was held on Sunday, February 15, 2026 (26 Bahman 1404), chaired by Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. During the session, cabinet members presented reports on cultural, economic, foreign policy, and energy matters.
At the start of the meeting, Dr. Salehi, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, along with Mr. Faridzadeh, Deputy for Cinema Affairs, and Shahsavari, Secretary of the Fajr Film Festival, reported on the organization of the country’s cultural festivals.
The Minister expressed gratitude for the President’s presence at the closing ceremony and for Dr. Aref’s attendance, noting that 145 theater groups with approximately 1,000 artists participated in the theater festival, while 60 music groups with 800 artists took part in the music festival.
President Pezeshkian, acknowledging artists’ dedication amid challenging circumstances, stated: “Despite a difficult environment, artists showed up, which deserves recognition.”
He added that society is wounded and emphasized the need to heal these wounds, warning that untreated social issues could affect the entire community.
Highlighting economic difficulties and inflationary pressures, Dr. Pezeshkian noted that citizens are struggling with daily life expenses while external pressures are also present. He pointed out that even Iran’s adversaries openly acknowledge the need to intensify economic pressure to fuel public dissatisfaction.
The President commended the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, its deputies, and artists, stressing the importance of social responsibility by government bodies in supporting cultural initiatives. He added that wherever assistance is needed, the government will cooperate, and relevant reports should be submitted for follow-up.
Referring to the extensive public turnout during the 22 Bahman rallies, he said: “People accomplished a remarkable feat, with attendance higher than in previous years. I thank our citizens and also express appreciation to the Supreme Leader for his support.”
The President also instructed the Minister of Intelligence to investigate cases of any detained artists and ensure their issues are addressed.
In another part of the meeting, the Minister of Culture reported on nationwide memorial ceremonies for victims, held in Tehran’s and Mashhad’s prayer halls, as well as across all provinces.
Additionally, Mr. Salehi-Amiri provided a briefing on the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts’ plans for the upcoming holiday season. President Pezeshkian emphasized that traditions and ceremonies embraced by the public must be respected and expressed the government’s willingness to facilitate travel and cultural activities for such gatherings.
Mr. Araqchi presented an update on the latest developments in Iran-U.S. negotiations.
The session also included a report from the head of the energy task force on the coordination of electricity, water, and diesel consumption across power plants, households, and industries, noting improvements in reserves compared to previous years.
Finally, the head of IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) reported on the successful launch of an IRIB satellite and its stable orbital positioning.
