TEHRAN: In his first speech after taking the oath of office, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the international community to cooperate with Iran to resolve regional and global challenges.
Pezeshkian welcomed dignitaries and representatives from more than 80 countries, who have traveled to Tehran to take part in his inauguration ceremony.
“The world needs to seize this unparalleled opportunity for addressing regional and global issues through the collaboration of a powerful, peace-seeking, and dignified Iran,” the president said.
He expressed his commitment to safeguarding Iran’s dignity and interests on the international stage, with the backing of the Iranian people and the Supreme Leader, while trying to forge consensus among all political factions within the country.
Central to his foreign policy, the president highlighted three key principles: dignity, wisdom, and expediency.
He promised that constructive engagement with the world would be the cornerstone of his government’s approach to foreign affairs.
Pezeshkian also emphasized the need for a region free from the influence of extremists, asserting that regional countries should not allow a few radical voices to misrepresent nearly two billion free-thinking Muslims.
“Islam is a religion of peace,” he said.
Furthermore, he voiced a strong desire for a world where the Palestinian people are liberated from occupation and oppression—a world where “no Palestinian child’s dreams are buried under the rubble of their homes”.
On the domestic front, Pezeshkian outlined the goals of his administration, promising to prioritize sustainable development, economic strength, and improving living standards of the Iranian people.
Tuesday’s ceremony was attended by senior officials from several countries including Armenia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Cuba and Brazil.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also arrived in Tehran to attend the event.
European Union envoy Enrique Mora was also present.
Regional Iran-backed allies were also in attendance, namely Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the head of the Islamic Jihad Ziyad al-Nakhalah.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement was represented by the group’s deputy secretary general Naim Qassem while Yemen’s Houthi rebels sent spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam.
‘Death to Israel’
Haniyeh and Nakhalah, whose groups have been fighting Israel in the Gaza Strip, met with Khamenei and Pezeshkian.
“Supporting the cause of the oppressed Palestinian nation will continue with strength, and no factor can disrupt our will in this direction,” said Pezeshkian in a Monday statement.
Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony came amid concerns of war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah following a rocket attack from Lebanon on Saturday on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of responsibility for the attack that killed 12 children but the Iran-backed Lebanese group has denied any involvement.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf gave a speech lambasting what he called Israel’s “crimes” in Gaza.
Some Iranians present in parliament chanted: “Death to Israel, Death to America.”
Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution and hailed Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Iran’s president is not head of state, and the ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader — a post held by Khamenei for the last 35 years.
On Monday, Pezeshkian warned Israel against attacking Lebanon, saying such an act would have “heavy consequences”.
Since his election, Iran’s new president has reaffirmed support for the so-called “axis of resistance”, Tehran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, that support Hamas against arch-foe Israel.
Pezeshkian was the only candidate representing Iran’s reformist camp allowed to stand in Iran’s presidential election, for which all contenders were approved by the conservative-dominated Guardian Council.
During his campaign, the former health minister had vowed to try and revive a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which collapsed in 2018 after the United States unilaterally withdrew from agreement.
The deal gave Iran sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear activity.
Pezeshkian has recently called for “constructive relations” with European countries, even though he accused them of reneging on commitments to mitigate the impact of renewed US sanctions.
