Pezeshkian took oath as Iran’s president, promising a shift in diplomacy

Masoud Pezeshkian has taken oath as Iran’s ninth president on Tuesday, replacing Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. “I as the president, in front of the holy Quran and the people of Iran, swear to almighty God to be the guardian of the official religion and the Islamic Republic system and the constitution of the country,” Pezeshkian said at the ceremony.

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian has become Iran’s new president, defeating his hardline rival, Saeed Jalili. This win is considered a shift in Iranian policy. “He is someone world powers are likely to welcome, hoping he might pursue peaceful ways out of a tense standoff with Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear programme,” analysts said.

Pezeshkian who recently gained fame for his moderate stance within Iranian politics is recognized for his efforts to advocate more balanced policies, which might impact future political development. He pledged to adopt a more realistic approach to foreign policy, reduce tension with world powers to negotiate the 2015 nuclear program and improve prospects for social liberalisation and political pluralism.