President and Supreme Leader call for action over environmental issues in Khuzestan Province
Iran’s regime, including the Supreme Leader, is trying to quiet protests in the southwest over water and electricity shortages and cut-off of phone service.
People have demonstrated in Khuzestan Province for several days amid growing concerns over environmental changes which may lead to long-term issues over supply. The area is suffering from a flood and pollution with dust six times above the health limit. Eleven cities lost power last weekend after an intense dust storm, knocking water and wastewater treatment plants offline.
On Sunday, President Rouhani met with the provincial Governor and officials overseeing disaster management and assured residents that “the President and all his colleagues in the cabinet have been standing by you to resolve the issues”.
The Supreme Leader then used a Monday speech to declare:
What has happened to the people of Khuzestan over the past few days truly pains one’s heart. Taking care of these problems are our duties. It is the duty of the officials. The governments are obliged to care for the people. This is one of the definite, urgent duties of the government at all times.
If someone is concerned about the people, they cannot be at ease in the face of Khuzestan’s problems. It is not enough to say that the current situation is the result of previous officials’ indifference. This won’t solve any problems, and after a while others will say the same things about us, asking why nothing has been done to solve the people’s problems.
On Tuesday, 1st Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri authorized $9.26 million to anti-dust plans. After an extraordinary meeting of Parliament’s Energy Commission, its chair Abdul Hamid Khedari said commission members,and possibly Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian, and Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh will travel to Khuzestan on Thursday.
The province, which has a population largely composed of ethnic Arabs and Lurs, provides much of Iran’s oil and gas.
TOP PHOTO: Protest in Ahwaz over environmental issues leading to water and electricity shortages
