Masoud Pezeshkian: Iran's New Course Towards Opening

The reformist Masoud Pezeshkian was elected as the new president of Iran, surpassing his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili in the presidential elections. With 53.3% of the votes counted, Pezeshkian becomes the leader of a country that seeks to move away from international isolation and open up to dialogue with Western powers. Born in Mahabad, a city near the border with Iraq and predominantly Kurdish, Pezeshkian is a cardiac surgeon and has held positions in both the Parliament and the government. During his campaign, Pezeshkian pledged to engage in constructive negotiations on the 2015 nuclear agreement, which limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from Western sanctions. However, the president-elect has also made it clear that he is committed to the principles of the Islamic Republic, showing respect for the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his decisions. Pezeshkian has been a member of parliament for five terms and held the vice presidency of the Parliament, sparking controversy by advocating for the decriminalization of drugs. He also served as Minister of Health during the second government of Mohammad Khatami, Iran's first reformist president. The backing of figures such as Khatami and the dissident cleric Mehdi Karroubi has boosted Pezeshkian's political career, who has promised to implement structural reforms and seek more equitable development for the country. On the other hand, the conservative candidate Saeed Jalili, known for his anti-Western stance and opposition to restoring the nuclear agreement, supports maintaining the status quo and considers Pezeshkian's proposals as part of a failed model. Voter turnout increased in the second round, with 49% of voters, compared to the 40% recorded in the first round. Pezeshkian's victory has sparked celebrations in Iran, with street demonstrations in support of the new president in Tehran and other cities in the country. However, low voter turnout and the exclusion of candidates by the Guardian Council have sparked criticism and protests on social media. Despite this, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has defended the country's theocratic model and acknowledged the opinions of those who abstained from voting. In a context of international tensions and internal discontent, Masoud Pezeshkian assumes the presidency of Iran with the challenge of reconciling the demands for reform and openness with the fundamental principles of the Islamic regime. His election represents a change in the country's leadership and raises questions about the direction it will take in terms of foreign relations and domestic policies. With a mandate that seeks to implement reforms and reduce repression, Pezeshkian faces the challenge of uniting a divided society and opening new paths for Iran's future.