In the first advanced jurisprudence lecture of the new academic year (26 Shahrivar 1404), Ayatollah Alavi Borujerdi, while examining current national issues and highlighting the economic and social problems of the people, criticized the lack of planning in dealing with crises related to water, electricity, industry, and livelihoods.

He pointed to widespread industrial shutdowns due to power outages and the exponential rise in utility bills, describing this trend as a key factor in inflation and additional pressure on vulnerable social groups.

He also referred to the water crisis, stating: “We are not among water-rich countries, but we have seas in the north and south of the country. Today, desalination of seawater is a fundamental industry. Countries around us have turned their deserts into forests; why have we not invested? Why did we not anticipate this?”

The necessity of public investment

In another part of his remarks, Ayatollah Alavi Borujerdi identified attracting and safeguarding domestic and foreign private capital as the solution to economic problems, criticizing an exclusively state-centered approach to investment.

He emphasized: “The solution to economic problems lies in attracting domestic and foreign private capital. Industrial challenges cannot be resolved through state investment alone. Legal and executive support for investors can channel significant domestic resources and the capital of Iranians abroad into production.”

Referring to capital flight and the purchase of property in neighboring countries, he stressed the protection of national capital and the creation of secure investment environments inside the country. He added that Iranians abroad possess substantial wealth and have a strong emotional connection to Iran, and that conditions must be provided for the return of this capital.

He also stated that one of the essential conditions for attracting investment is an independent judiciary, saying: “We need an independent and impartial judiciary. A judge must understand economics. If an entrepreneur falls behind on loan repayments, he should not be imprisoned and his factory should not be shut down. Today there are people in prison who could have created thousands of jobs each month.”

He further noted that investment only develops in a competitive and free environment, adding that as long as military and security institutions are directly involved in the economy, the private sector will not be able to grow. He stressed that the economy must be competitive and free, not one in which some entities are tax-exempt while the private sector is under pressure.

The necessity of rational foreign relations

In another section of his remarks, he addressed foreign relations, stating that trade and investment can only develop under rational and normal international relations, and that engaging with other countries does not mean submission.

He said: “Having relations does not mean accepting anti-values. International relations are based on interests, not slogans of friendship or hostility. We must define our relations based on mutual, rational interests that benefit both sides. We cannot maintain healthy foreign relations through slogans and conflict with everyone. We should not assume that having relations with other countries means being under their domination.”

Prioritizing national needs

He further emphasized the need to reassess public budget priorities, stating: “At a time when people are suffering from power outages and livelihood problems, public funds should not be spent on building new mosques in some cities while many existing mosques are half inactive. Reviving mosques requires capable imams, not new buildings.”

In conclusion, the senior seminary scholar emphasized: “Anyone who criticizes is not necessarily a servant of Israel or America; some criticisms are expressions of concern. People today see reality and are not convinced by slogans or labels. Our intention is service; we offer advice out of concern and responsibility, and we hope God grants us success in serving the improvement of people’s affairs.”