Iran's newly sworn-in president, Masoud Pezeshkian, delivered a speech at the parliament in Tehran, emphasizing his commitment to removing economic sanctions imposed by the West over Iran's nuclear program. Pezeshkian expressed optimism about the future and stated that he considers the normalization of economic relations with the world to be Iran's inalienable right.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei officially endorsed Pezeshkian, urging him to prioritize relations with neighboring countries, African and Asian nations, as well as nations that have supported Iran in its foreign policies.
Pezeshkian, a reformist politician and heart surgeon, won the July presidential election following the tragic death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash. He now has two weeks to form his Cabinet for a parliamentary vote of confidence.
The economic sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economy, leading to a significant decline in vital oil exports, blocked international banking transactions, and high inflation rates, currently at about 40%. The Iranian rial has also experienced a sharp devaluation, with the dollar now trading at 584,000 rials.
Despite holding indirect talks with the Biden administration, there has been no substantial progress on curbing Iran's nuclear program or lifting economic sanctions. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful and aimed at energy production and medical purposes, not weapons development.
During his inauguration ceremony, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's stance that pressure and sanctions will not sway the Iranian nation. The event was attended by representatives from over 70 countries, including the European Union's nuclear talks coordinator and allies from Palestinian militant groups.
Iran faces challenges from ongoing conflicts in the region, such as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Western concerns about its uranium enrichment activities. Pezeshkian expressed solidarity with Palestinians, advocating for a world free from occupation and oppression.
As Iran navigates complex geopolitical dynamics and economic pressures, the international community will closely monitor the new administration's efforts to address these challenges and foster diplomatic relations.
