Khamenei in the Progress Model Document: Iran to Become Among the Top Seven Countries by 1444

The "Initial Document of the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress" was posted on the website of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on Sunday, October 14, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran must rank among the top five advanced countries in thought, science, and technology by the year 1444 in the Iranian calendar. The document, which domestic media have described as aimed at achieving a "new Islamic-Iranian civilization," mentions that Iran is expected to have one of the ten largest economies in the world by that year and that "poverty, corruption, and discrimination will be eradicated in the country." It states: "By 1444, Iran will be recognized among the top four countries in Asia and the top seven countries in the world in terms of overall progress and justice, possessing the prominent characteristics of an Islamic society and the birthplace of a new Islamic-Iranian civilization." According to a report from the Supreme Leader's office, Ayatollah Khamenei has called for experts to "review and amend" this document and has tasked the "Center for the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress" to present an upgraded version of this model for approval and announcement within the next two years, so that from the beginning of the 15th century in the Iranian calendar, the implementation of this model can begin at an optimal pace and the country's affairs can be aligned with it. The state media and official propaganda agencies in Iran are also set to publish news about these activities. The document does not provide details on practical solutions to reach the status of "one of the top seven countries in the world," but it mentions "foundations," "ideals," and "measures." In the "foundations" section, it states that "the material world exists alongside the world beyond, and the factors affecting it are not limited to material and natural causes," and the path to the desired progress includes "adhering to divine guidance," "leadership of the infallible Imam," "attention to the sustainable goal of realizing the word of God," and "the dominance of believers over the people of falsehood." Another section notes that since "revelation is considered the source of the flourishing of reason, Islamic civilization-building and progress are based not only on Islamic principles, values, and teachings but also on human reason and knowledge." The "ideals" section emphasizes aspects such as "faith in the unseen, mercy and brotherhood with Muslims, and a powerful confrontation with enemies." In the "measures" section, among the strategies listed for transforming Iran into one of the "top four countries in Asia and seven countries in the world" over the next five decades are items such as "strengthening and deepening the culture of monotheism and belief in the afterlife and the unseen." Other mentioned measures include "expanding deep understanding and consolidating the theory of religious democracy based on the guardianship of the jurist, developing tourism hubs, stopping the raw export of natural resources within 15 years from the start of the model's implementation, and ensuring the independence of the government's budget from revenues derived from the exploitation of natural resources and public wealth." The publication of this document comes at a time when Iran's economy is increasingly strained due to mismanagement and U.S. sanctions, while senior officials of the Islamic Republic emphasize "hope therapy" and the belief that the Islamic Republic has not reached a "dead end." Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has recently adjusted its previous estimates of Iran's macroeconomic variables, predicting that Iran's economic growth will reach negative 1.5 percent. The Research Center of the Parliament has also published a report forecasting that Iran's economic growth rate, affected by the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the imposition of economic sanctions, will decline by the end of this year in two scenarios—optimistic and pessimistic—to negative 0.5 and negative 2.8 percent.