After many years, a reformist has come to the helm of Iranian power. It remains to be seen if he can overcome the challenges.
Masoud Pezeshkian’s election as Iran’s 9th president marks the first reformist leadership to come to power in the country in two decades.
The abstention of almost 50 percent of eligible voters puts a spotlight on the legitimacy of the Iranian regime and highlights underlying issues facing Iranian society. He may also need to compromise to reconcile his policies with the wishes of the parliament, which is dominated by the hardliners. Instead, he is the executioner of a foreign policy that largely comes from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The current political conditions in Iran, the US, and Europe differ significantly from those during the time when the original agreement was signed. During his campaign, Pezeshkian continuously underlined that confrontation with the West does not resolve Iran's dire economic problems, necessitating a redefined foreign policy. However, the elimination of the sanctions is a significant hurdle to overcome.
Another foreign policy challenge will be Iran's regional policies in the Middle East and its relations with proxies, as well as the increased tensions between Iran and Israel.As expected, Pezeshkian’s influence here is limited, as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps , the leading practitioner in the field, and the Supreme Leader predominantly shape these policies.
Uncertainty will remain in foreign policy, particularly regarding the resumption of the nuclear talks, until the US elections in November.
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