Iranian President Hassan Rouhani apologized Iranian people for the recent blackouts in Iran and called on Ministry of Energy to elaborate on the issue.

Addressing the ceremony to unveil 62 projects in free trade and special economic zones, President Rouhani said that the Ministry of Energy is not guilty but the minister should elaborate on the issue and inform the� people.

He noted that every year about 2500 MW has been added to the capacity of electricity production.

He also stressed the importance of electricity in time of COVID-19 pandemic and when people are in hospitals.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said that after completing the railway network in southeast Iran, Chabahar will be connected to the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Inche Boroon, and Astara.

He stressed that connecting Khorramshahr-Basra Railway will be a priority for the next government, adding that the agreements have been made with Iraq in this regard.

This railway will be very important since it connects Iran to Iraq meaning that the Persian Gulf will be connected to the Mediterranean Sea.

He also stated that Shalamcheh-Basra Railway will be useful in time of Arbaeen ritual, during which a large number of people visit Karbala in Iraq. During the coronavirus pandemic due to health protocols, the ritual is not observed.