Iran’s supreme leader formally approves new president

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has formally recognized President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian as the Islamic Republic’s head of state in a ceremony on Sunday.

Khamenei handed over a document to Pezeshkian known as the “decree of confirmation,” validating the latter’s right to take office. Khamenei’s endorsement is to be followed by Pezeshkian’s official inauguration at the Iranian Parliament in two days. It is expected to be attended by over 2,500 people including 70 delegations from foreign countries and international organizations.

Various Iranian officials and dignitaries, including Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, were present at Sunday’s event. Vahidi delivered a report on the snap elections called after the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19. Iranians failed to elect a new leader in the first round of voting at the end of June, which prompted a runoff. On July 5 the 69-year-old Pezeshkian, considered a relative moderate, won the election with 53.6% of the vote.

Upon granting his approval to Pezeshkian, Khamenei, as Iran’s ultimate authority, gave a speech pledging to prioritize improving relations with the country’s neighbors. However, he reiterated Tehran’s outrage over the situation in Gaza and its anti-Israel stance. The supreme leader slammed the “Zionist regime” in Israel as “a gang of criminals, murderers, and terrorists.”

Following his confirmation, Pezeshkian addressed the gathering himself, pledging to stay in line with Khamenei.

“The responsibility that the Constitution has placed on me is to move towards the clear path outlined by the Supreme Leader,” he stated, as cited by Iran International news outlet.