Iranian president urges change in leadership style

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday called for a fundamental change in the country's leadership style, while his office denied rumours that he plans to resign. Pezeshkian said Iran's leadership must not consist of a limited group of leaders and officials, according to state news agency Fars, which is affiliated with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He called for all social groups, economic stakeholders and scientists, as well as the general public, to be involved in Iran's decision-making processes. The demand by Pezeshkian, a reformer, stands in stark contrast with reality in Iran, where key positions in government have been held for decades by individuals with close ties to the IRGC. Pezeshkian argued that the more the public is involved in decision-making and problem-solving processes, the greater the chance of successfully overcoming challenges. When people are faced with hardships, those in charge must stand by their side and work to resolve the problems, he said. Iran has repeatedly faced nationwide anti-government protests amid widespread discontent with the authoritarian leadership, most recently at the start of the year. In what began as protests by shopkeepers over the economic situation turned into one of the biggest waves of unrest in recent years. The authorities responded with a brutal crackdown, with thousands believed to have been killed. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian's office denied speculation that the president had submitted his resignation to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying that Pezeshkian would not cease to serve the Iranian people. Pezeshkian also called on Iranians to conserve electricity and fuel,as the country struggles with the fallout from the US-Israeli war,including a US blockade of Iranian ports.  If Iran fails to reduce consumption of electricity, gas and other energy sources, this will have a negative impact on certain sectors of industrial production, Pezeshkian warned.  The population must be aware of the current realities, as well as the demands and costs of resistance, he said.