29 July 2024: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officially endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as the country’s new president on Sunday, following his victory in the recent presidential election. The endorsement ceremony, held in Tehran, was attended by senior political and military leaders, as well as foreign diplomats, reported Al Jazeera.
The 69-year-old reformist lawmaker and cardiac surgeon won the second round of the election on July 5, defeating his conservative rival, Saeed Jalili, by over 3 million votes. Pezeshkian will succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on May 19 in northwestern Iran.
During the ceremony, Khamenei handed Pezeshkian the signed decree, which was read aloud by the head of the supreme leader’s office. The decree noted that the election was conducted with “calmness and sobriety in difficult conditions,” and that Pezeshkian is “ready to assume the great responsibility.”
Pezeshkian’s formal inauguration and oath-taking will take place on Tuesday in the Iranian parliament, with numerous high-ranking representatives from various countries expected to attend. In his acceptance speech, Pezeshkian vowed to “pursue justice” and emphasized that “the return of the country’s dignity is possible only through unity and adherence to the law.” He called for collective efforts to address the nation’s problems, needs, and concerns.
Khamenei, in his address, urged the incoming government to prioritize economic issues and strengthen ties with countries that have supported Iran economically. He also commended the Raisi administration for its internal and external work, including the diplomatic efforts of the late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Pezeshkian has named veteran reformist politician Mohammad Reza Aref as his first vice president, replacing Mohammad Mokhber who served under Raisi.
The new administration faces significant challenges, but Pezeshkian’s endorsement marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s political landscape, setting the stage for potential reforms and a renewed focus on justice and unity.
