Iran swore in its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Tuesday (30/7). The reformist politician and heart surgeon vowed that his government would continue to work to lift economic sanctions imposed by the West over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
Pezeshkian delivered his first speech as president after being sworn in at a ceremony held at the parliament building in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
He said he considers normalization of Iran's economic relations with the world as Iran's inalienable right.
“I will not stop trying to lift these oppressive sanctions,” he said.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Sunday (28/7) officially endorsed Pezeshkian, urging him to prioritize neighboring countries, Africa and Asia, as well as countries that have “supported and assisted” Iran in its foreign policy.
Pezeshkian, a long-time lawmaker, won the presidential election last July, after his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash in May, prompting early elections.
He was given two weeks to form his cabinet for a confidence motion in parliament.
The sanctions have hit Iran's vital oil exports, hampered transactions on international banking networks and fueled inflation, which has now reached 40%.
The dollar was exchanged at 584,000 Iranian rials, sending the value of the country's currency plummeting.
When the historic nuclear agreement was reached with the world's superpowers, one rial was equal to 32,000 dollars.
Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.
Iran itself has been holding indirect talks with the Biden administration, although there has been no clear progress on curbing Tehran's nuclear program or lifting economic sanctions on Iran.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and aimed at producing electricity and radioisotopes to treat cancer patients – not nuclear weapons.
“Excessive pressure and demands will not affect Iran's leaders, nation or political system,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian's inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives of more than 70 countries, as well as Enrique Mora, the EU's nuclear negotiations coordinator.
Emomali Rahman, the president of Tajikistan, was also present, as were Iran's allies from various Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al Nakhaleh.
Iran is facing a difficult situation due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and concerns among Western countries that Tehran's uranium enrichment has approached levels that would allow Iran to produce several nuclear weapons if it wanted to.
Last April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel as a result of the war in Gaza, as militant groups armed by Tehran – such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen – also engaged in fighting and stepped up attacks.
In his speech, Pezeshkian expressed his support for the Palestinian people, “we are working to create a world where the proud Palestinian people are free from the grip of occupation, oppression, imprisonment and genocide.” (rd/ab)
