Khamenei Endorses Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran's President, Inauguration Set for July 30

Jul 28, 2024, 09:01 AM

Masoud Pezeshkian, a largely unknown cardiac surgeon, has won the Iranian presidential election, presenting a potential shift in Tehran's diplomatic relations with its neighbors and the West. Pezeshkian, a reformist, is seen as a glimmer of hope for reviving the stalled nuclear deal between Tehran and the international community. His inauguration ceremony, scheduled for July 30, will be attended by several high-ranking foreign officials, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy Peng Qinghua. The Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei formally endorsed Pezeshkian on July 28, marking the beginning of his tenure as Iran's ninth president. Pezeshkian has appointed Mohammad Reza Aref as his Vice President and Abbas Araghchi as his Foreign Minister. The new administration faces significant challenges, including deep-seated mistrust between the US and Iran, and the need to address cultural and economic issues within the country. Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of following the Supreme Leader's vision during his endorsement ceremony, where Mohammad Mokhber handed over the presidential office.