Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as the country's new president on Sunday, weeks after his victory in the presidential election. At a ceremony in Tehran, attended by top-ranking political and military leaders as well as foreign diplomats, the supreme leader handed over the signed decree to Pezeshkian. The decree was read out by the head of Khamenei's office, stating that the election concluded with "calmness and sobriety in difficult conditions," and that the new president is "ready to assume the great responsibility." The 69-year-old reformist lawmaker and cardiac surgeon defeated his conservative rival and former security body chief Saeed Jalili by more than 3 million votes in the second round of the presidential election on July 5. He will succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19 in northwestern Iran, along with seven others. According to Article 110 of Iran's Constitution, the president-elect assumes office after his formal endorsement by the supreme leader, followed by the inauguration ceremony in parliament. Pezeshkian's inauguration and oath-taking ceremony will take place on Tuesday, with high-ranking representatives from many countries in attendance. In his remarks after receiving the endorsement, Pezeshkian pledged to "pursue justice" and stressed that "the return of the country's dignity is possible only through unity and adherence to the law." "We must join hands to address the problems, needs, and concerns of the beloved people of our country," he said. Khamenei, in his speech, urged the incoming government to "work tirelessly" and noted that economic issues are a priority. He emphasized that strong ties with countries that have helped Iran in the economic arena should be prioritized, with a focus on neighboring countries. Khamenei also praised the Raisi government for its work internally and externally, as well as the diplomacy pursued by the late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian named Mohammad Reza Aref, a veteran reformist politician, as his first vice president. He will replace Mohammad Mokhber who served under President Raisi. — Agencies
