Iran news: Attending a farewell ceremony for Abbas Akhoundi, the outgoing minister of Road and Urban Development, and a welcoming ceremony to introduce the newly-appointed Road and Urban Development minister, Mohammad Eslami, Jahangiri thanked and appreciated Akhundi's efforts during his time as minister, emphasizing that managing the two important sectors of housing and transportation are the responsibility of this ministry -- placing a heavy burden upon the shoulders of the Road and Urban Development minister.
According to an Iran Press report, Jahangiri emphasized that Iran's fleet of commercial aircraft has actually been expanded under US sanctions.
The First Vice President added: "We must endure several difficult months ahead, and emerge from this testing period with flying colours. Our enemies will realize that sanctions do not affect the high spirits and high morale of the Iranian nation."
At the ceremony Abbas Akhoundi, the outgoing minister listed some of his most important achievements and highlights of his tenure as minister. He mentioned keeping a tight rein on speculation and speculators in the housing market, adopting new policies for urban development, rail-centered urban development, development of new rail lines, expansion and development of a third generation of new cities and connurbations.
He also referred to his efforts to renew Iran's commercial fleet of aircraft, constructing and renewing 1510 km of outdated worn out rail ways, attracting private capital and private investment for the much-delayed Tehran-Mazandaran highway, a project which has been delayed by at least 17 years, but is due to be officially inaugurated later this year by president Hassan Rouhani. The freeway becomes fully functional by the end of the current Iranian year.
Also, for his part, the new minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mohammad Eslami, stressed on the concerns of the general public, and President Rouhani's priorities, saying he will do everything he can to achieve government targets. Eslami also said "We will defeat US sanctions."
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