Massoud Pezeshkian, a reformer now at the head of the country

First appearance of the elected president and first symbol. Massoud Pezeshkian at the mausoleum of Khomeini, founding father of the Islamic Republic. And first words as if to pledge allegiance to the current supreme guide: “I would like to thank the Supreme Leader, because without him I would not have been elected so easily”. Massoud Pezeshkian, 69, was a doctor, parliamentarian and Minister of Health in the 2000s. Little known to the general public, he caused a surprise by winning 53% of the vote. This reformer puts an end to a series of victories for the conservative camp. On the question of the veil, Massoud Pezeshkian has pledged to oppose the morality police patrols responsible for enforcing the obligation.

Another challenge for the new president is a serious economic crisis and international sanctions. During the campaign, we asked him about this topic. “We will try to resolve all misunderstandings, disagreements with everyone”he replied. But the new president has little room for maneuver. In Iran, the main political guidelines are set by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been in power for 35 years. In the second round of the presidential election, barely half of Iranians turned out to vote.