WANA (Apr 16) – Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, launched a sharp critique of Washington’s foreign policy, asserting that the White House has effectively turned the United States into the “seventh province” of Israel.

 

Speaking during a series of strategic meetings with cabinet ministers, Aref reviewed reports on damages caused by recent “U.S.-Israeli military aggression” and issued directives for the swift reconstruction of national infrastructure and the fulfillment of public needs.

 

The Oil Industry: Resilient Under Fire

In a meeting with Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, Aref addressed the damage inflicted on several energy facilities. Drawing parallels to the 1980s, he noted that even during the Iran-Iraq war, the industry never ceased operations.

 

“During the Imposed War, Saddam and his partners dealt serious blows to the oil industry, yet it did not shut down for even a single day,” Aref said. He emphasized that the same cohesion between the people and the government today would ensure the failure of “enemy conspiracies.”

 

Infrastructure Damage Labeled “War Crimes”

During discussions with Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, Aref reviewed the status of damaged railway lines. He formally characterized the targeting of civilian infrastructure as a “war crime.”

 

Reconstruction: Aref praised the rapid repair of rail lines by Iranian engineers, calling the achievement “proud.”

 

National Capacity: He urged the full utilization of national logistics to transport goods and compensate for damages.

 

Economic Stability and Budget Allocation

The Vice President also met with Industry Minister Mohammad Atabak and the Head of the Planning and Budget Organization, Hamid Pourmohammadi.

 

Production: Aref prioritized the immediate restoration of manufacturing units and “intelligent market management” to protect the livelihoods of citizens.

 

Funding: Directives were issued to prioritize budget allocations for reconstruction projects and essential services.

 

Critique of the Trump Administration

Concluding his meetings, Aref took aim at the political trajectory in Washington. He argued that the current administration’s “America First” slogan has been abandoned in favor of Israeli interests.

 

“The White House leaders who came to power with the ‘America First’ slogan have practically turned this country into Israel’s seventh province,” Aref stated. “Surely the American people are upset that their country lacks independence.”

 

Contrasting Tehran’s approach with that of U.S. President Donald Trump, Aref added: “Unlike Trump, who has neither a strategy nor a plan for his actions, we have a clear strategy as well as formulated short-term and long-term programs.”

 

“We are the government of ‘Defense and Reconstruction,'” Aref concluded. “Just as we have plans for a brave defense and support for the people, we will use all our power to compensate for damages and build Iran.”