Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as the Islamic republic's ninth president, after he won a snap election earlier this month pledging reforms.
Mr Pezeshkian, a reformist who will be sworn in before parliament on Tuesday, is taking office at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East as fighting escalates between Israel and Iranian allies.
The endorsement ceremony, held in Tehran, was broadcast live on state television as banks and most government offices were shut to tackle a heatwave.
"I endorse his excellency Dr Masoud Pezeshkian as the president of the Islamic republic of Iran," said a decree by the supreme leader, read out by the director of his office.
Although a moderate, Mr Pezeshkian is not expected to bring about any radical shifts in foreign, domestic, or nuclear policy, as the supreme leader remains at the helm of all state affairs.
Foreign policy is not a matter decided by the Iranian president, but by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who answer to Mr Khamenei.
In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Khamenei reiterated Iran's anti-Israeli stance and praised Palestinian armed group Hamas for its resistance in Gaza.
Mr Pezeshkian vowed to adhere to the law and religious values, vowing that his administration will serve the people and "take no path but the path of justice and fairness".
Following the ceremony, acting president Mohammad Mokhber handed over to Mr Pezeshkian.
Mr Pezeshkian won a run-off race against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili on July 5 to replace president Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May alongside other top officials.
Mr Raisi was a hardliner and his replacement has sparked hopes of a thaw in relations between Iran and the West, particularly with regards to nuclear issues.
During the ceremony, Mr Khamenei suggested he may be open to improving ties.
"We have no intention to oppose some European countries. The reason I did not mention European countries as a priority is that they have not treated us well for many years," he said.
If European countries did not "have this bad attitude" then mending ties "would be one of our priorities," he added.
Mr Khamenei stressed the importance of adopting an "active and effective" response to regional developments and that diplomacy should prioritise neighbouring countries.
He secured about 54 per cent of the 30 million ballots cast.
Later on Sunday, Mr Pezeshkian appointed reformist Mohammad Reza Aref, 72, as his first vice president, according to Iranian state media.
Mr Aref previously served as a vice president under former reformist President Mohammad Khatami from 2001 to 2005. The appointment marks the new president's first official act since assuming the position.
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
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8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
Step by step
2070km to run
38 days
273,600 calories consumed
28kg of fruit
40kg of vegetables
45 pairs of running shoes
1 yoga matt
1 oxygen chamber
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Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
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- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
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Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
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7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
