New Delhi: Iran welcomed its new reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who was officially sworn in before parliament on Tuesday. This will be the beginning of Pezeshkians tenure as the ninth president of the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian won the presidential race in a runoff election held on July 5 by defeating ultraconservative candidate, Saeed Jalili. The election was conducted in Iran after the sudden death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. Pezeshkian gained over 16 million votes by securing 54% of the total 30 million ballots cast.Supreme leaders endorsementTwo days before the swearing-in, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, endorsed Pezeshkian, officially granting him presidential powers. In his oath, broadcast live on state television, Pezeshkian pledged to uphold Irans official religion, the Islamic Republic system, and the countrys constitution.Attendance of international dignitariesThe inauguration was attended by senior officials from various countries, including Armenia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, and Brazil. The European Union was represented by envoy Enrique Mora. Regional allies, including leaders from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, were also present.Support for Palestinian causeIn his address, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Irans unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, a central tenet of Iranian foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution. He emphasized that no factor could deter Irans commitment to supporting oppressed Palestinians, particularly amid heightened tensions following Hamass attack on Israel on October 7.Ongoing domestic challengesThe ceremony took place against a backdrop of increasing regional tensions and ongoing domestic challenges. A recent rocket attack from Lebanon on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, attributed by Israel to Hezbollah, has exacerbated the volatile regional situation. During the parliamentary session, speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned Israels actions in Gaza.Pezeshkian, a veteran politician and former health minister, has a challenging road ahead. He aims to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which collapsed in 2018 after the United States withdrawal. Pezeshkian has also called for constructive relations with European countries, despite criticizing them for failing to mitigate the impact of renewed US sanctions.New chapter for IranAs Pezeshkian prepares to unveil his government, expected within two weeks, his administration will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. With a platform advocating for reform and constructive engagement, Pezeshkians presidency could herald significant changes in Irans political and economic landscape.
