Reformist assumes Iranian presidency after endorsement from supreme leader

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s supreme leader formally endorsed on Sunday Masoud Pezeshkian as president, allowing the reformist politician and heart surgeon to take command of a country weakened by economic sanctions over its nuclear program.

During an endorsement ceremony, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Pezeshkian to prioritize neighbors, African and Asian nations, as well as countries that have “supported and helped” Iran in Tehran’s foreign relations policies.

Khamenei criticized European nations for “behaving badly towards us” by adopting sanctions, an oil embargo and denouncing alleged human rights violations.

He also condemned Israel for its actions in Gaza in the deaths of children, women and hospitalized people “who did not fire a single bullet” at Israeli forces.

“The Zionist regime is showing its ugliest face as a war criminal,” Khamenei said, accusing Israel of setting a “new record in murders” and cruelty. He also denounced the US Congress for allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the legislative body.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Pezeshkian paid tribute to General Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Iran’s regional military activities, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020. He reiterated his pledge to pursue a “constructive and efficient” foreign policy. Strengthen the rule of law, provide equal opportunities for citizens, support families and protect the environment.

In his first official act in office, Pezeshkian appointed Mohammad Reza Aref, 72, as his first vice president. Aref, considered a moderate reformist, held the position between 2001 and 2005 under former president Mohammad Khatami. Aref holds a doctorate in engineering from Stanford University.

Pezeshkian replaces his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter crash in May triggered early elections. He will be sworn in in parliament on Tuesday and will have two weeks to form his own cabinet for a vote of confidence in parliament.

The new Iranian president promised in his election campaign that he would not make radical changes to Iran’s Shiite theocracy, embracing Khamenei as the final arbiter in all matters of state. Pezeshkian could tilt Iran’s foreign policy toward confrontation or collaboration with the West and faces a constant challenge from hardliners who still control the government.

Pezeshkian tried to walk the line between the hardliners and the reformists with whom he identified. He has repeatedly criticized the US, while also praising Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard for shooting down a US drone in 2019, which he called a “strong punch to the Americans’ mount.”

Among the pressing challenges Pezeshkian faces are the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Western concerns about enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels, with an arsenal sufficient to produce multiple nuclear weapons, if so. whatever you want.

In April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel during the war in Gaza, while militia groups armed by Tehran – including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthi rebels – intensified their own attacks.

Iran has held indirect talks with President Joe Biden’s administration about its nuclear program, but there has been no progress in lifting harsh economic sanctions against Tehran.