Iranian Journalist Maryam Shabani Confronts Newly-Elected President Pezeshkian: The Morality Police Harasses Women, And Your Government Lacks The Popular Support Needed To Introduce Major Economic Reforms

Iranian journalist Maryam Shabani asked Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian in his first presidential press conference how much attention he is paying to the necessary "major" reforms his administration must make in order to regain public trust. She said that Pezeshkian does not enjoy the support of the majority of Iran's public and that a big portion of the population feels politically resentful. Pezeshkian responded that respect for social norms is a requirement for development and that people who "trigger certain reactions by breaking norms" do not indicate progress. He said that if people insult his faith, his response will be "illogical." Before asking her question, Shaban described how she had to evade the morality police on her way to the venue of the press conference. Pezeshkian chuckled and asked if the morality police is still bothering people, and he said that he would look into the matter so they stop bothering her. He received a round of applause from the press corps for this statement. The press conference was aired on IRINN TV (Iran) September 16, 2024.

Maryam Shabani: "Before I ask my question, I need to make a point. In order to get here today, I took a lot of shortcuts and side streets, so I would not be trapped by the morality police."

Masoud Pezeshkian: "Is the morality police still bothering people?"

Shabani: "Yes, they are still operating in the city."

Pezeshkian: "They were supposed to avoid these clashes, but I will look into it, so that they stop bothering you."

Shabani: "Anyway, we will be here to witness this. Mr. President, you were elected president by a small margin. Sixty percent of the people did not vote in the first round of the elections, and fifty percent did not participate in the second round. A big portion of this population is politically resentful. We also know that the government will be forced to make hard decisions, and execute difficult economic interventions in the near future. It is fair to say that as long as your government has low public approval, executing these difficult measures is practically impossible. Those people who did not vote in the elections do not trust your selection of cabinet members so far.

"In order to regain the public's trust and increase in your public approval, major palpable reforms are required. This has to be the government's number-one priority. How much attention are you paying to this? What is your specific message to the 50-60 percent of the people who believe your main concern is not really 'unity' for the lower classes, but to unify those in government who are against this majority."

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Pezeshkian: "One of the principles of development is respect for the culture of society. People who trigger certain reactions by breaking the norms – this is not progress. If you insult my faith, I might react in a very illogical way. You cannot disregard this faith."