THE list of challenges, both domestic and foreign, before Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian is a long and difficult one. Described as both a reformist and a centrist, the heart surgeon and veteran lawmaker clinched the Iranian presidency during Friday’s run-off election by narrowly beating his conservative rival Saeed Jalili. Mr Pezeshkian was appointed health minister in the Khatami government, and has served several terms in parliament. But now, as holder of the country’s second most powerful office after that of the supreme leader, he will be expected to deliver on the many promises he made to Iranians during the campaign. These include greater social freedoms, removing crippling US-led sanctions, as well as improving Iran’s external relations.

Domestically, the Iranian electorate has signalled that the system must change, in line with its wishes. Therefore, Mr Pezeshkian will have to carefully navigate between the expectations of his voters and the demands of the clerical establishment. Along with social freedoms, the greatest domestic challenge before the new Iranian leader will be to improve his country’s stagnant economy, which has been throttled by years of sanctions imposed primarily by the US. One critical way of removing sanctions would be to revive the frozen nuclear deal. Mr Pezeshkian’s reported choice of foreign minister, Javad Zarif, signals that he may be serious in restarting the JCPOA negotiations. Mr Zarif played a central role in successfully negotiating the nuclear deal during the Rouhani administration. But we must remain cautious about the prospects of a rapprochement between Iran and the West, especially if a second Trump presidency — which is looking increasingly likely — becomes a reality. It was Donald Trump who tore up the nuclear deal in 2018, and there is little to suggest the Republican contender is jettisoning his past stance and warming up to Tehran now. Elsewhere, Mr Pezeshkian will need to guide his country as it confronts an aggressive Israel in the region, while also continuing the thaw with the Saudis and other Gulf Arabs. Questions also remain about whether the incoming president will deepen ties with Russia and China, continuing the strategic policy of his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi. Where relations with Pakistan are concerned, it is hoped Mr Pezeshkian will continue the policies of the Raisi administration, which sought to significantly improve trade and people-to-people ties between the neighbouring states.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024