Tehran: Masoud Pezeshkian came to power in Iran while domestic, regional, and international challenges and conflicts were piling up, especially during the past two years. Iran experienced domestic protests that lasted for months after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2021. Furthermore, the Ukraine war in 2022 and its consequences for Iran, followed by the conflict in Gaza since October 7th, 2023, which has gradually expanded into Lebanon, have compounded the situation. Adding to these challenges are the economic costs of sanctions that have accumulated since Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian began his presidency amid significant turmoil, including the assassination of Mr. Haniya, a Hamas political leader, in Tehran the day after his inauguration, and the assassination of Seyed Hassan Nasrallah after Pezeshkian returned from New York. These events set the stage for Pezeshkian’s presidency following the death of President Raisi in a helicopter crash. In the
past 40 years, no Iranian president has faced such severe challenges. The question remains how Pezeshkian and his administration will address these issues.
Pezeshkian’s background and administration provide some insight. Coming from a Kurdish-Azari family, Pezeshkian studied medicine, participated in defense efforts during the Iraq-Iran war, served as a minister of health in President Mohammad Khatami’s reformist administration, and was a parliamentarian. He has been involved in Iranian domestic politics for the past four decades and has a deep understanding of the political landscape. His scientific background prioritizes facts and figures over ideology, leading him to include more experts in his administration than ideologues. This approach has strengthened the role of rationality and experience in decision-making. Analysis of his remarks highlights his belief in peace, stability, diplomacy, and development.
Addressing economic problems is Pezeshkian’s main priority. To achieve this, he aims to create a m
ore peaceful situation domestically and internationally, shifting policies toward moderate forces. The administration’s main priorities include national unity and reconciliation, economic development, regional peace and stability, constructive international relations, and managing tensions with the US. Pezeshkian’s administration, described as a ‘national reconciliation administration,’ seeks to engage different political forces and has gained the support of the Supreme Leader, who emphasized cooperation between all branches of power to address the country’s challenges.
In recent years, Iran’s national security has faced challenges like social unrest, sectarian, and ethnic divisions. Social unrest escalated after the death of Mahsa Amini, but has visibly decreased with Pezeshkian’s presidency. Being from minority backgrounds, his election and appointments may reduce ethnic tensions and contribute to national reconciliation. Addressing sectarian divisions, Pezeshkian’s administration includes officials from m
inorities to mitigate these challenges.
Economic improvement is the administration’s top priority. Pezeshkian aims for an 8% economic growth, requiring $200 billion in investment, half of which must come from improved international relations. The economic team, led by Abdolnasser Hemati and Ali Tayebnia, focuses on poverty reduction, controlling inflation, and economic growth. This necessitates a competent foreign policy team, featuring experienced members from the JCPOA negotiations, like Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his deputy Majid Takht Ravanchi, who emphasize diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Pezeshkian’s foreign policy leans towards a balanced approach between the East and the West, aiming for constructive interactions with key global players to address domestic issues and promote regional peace and stability. Challenges have united political forces, fostering support and cooperation with Pezeshkian’s administration. With an experienced, pragmatic, and realist team, the administration has both
societal and systemic support. Demonstrating short-term success could empower and rejuvenate the system and society, addressing longstanding problems.
* Nabil Sonboli is a political analyst working for the Tehran-based Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS).
Views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Islamic Republic News Agency.