The election on 5 July 2024 of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian offers a glimmer of hope for a reduction of tensions in the Middle East and an improvement of living conditions in Iran. Pezeshkian, who was Minister of Health, 2001-2005, and a long-time member of the parliament will have to navigate skillfully within the constraits of Iran's political order in which the Supreme Guide Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his inner circle hold most of the political power. The second round of the election process between Pezeshkian and the conservative hard-liner Saeed Jolili makes Pezeshkian look like a liberal.
On the level of the general population, there is an aspiration for change, for a reduction of the high level of inflation, and an improvement in the standard of living. The election, caused by the accidental death of the then President, Ebrahim Raisi, came at a time of long-simmering popular grievances highlighted by the wide-spread demonstrations held under the theme of "Woman-Life-Liberty" after the death at the hands of the "Morality Police" of Mahsa Amini. On the domestic front, much is expected of Pezeshkian to overcome wide-spread alienation. His openness to dialogue and reform will be closely watched.
On the international level, Iran is deeply involved in many of the tensions and armed conflicts in the Middle East. The need for tension-reduction measures are urgent, but there seem to be few possibilities for good faith negotiations for the moment. The recent NATO Summit in Washington has highlighted Iran's supply to Russia of drones and missiles used in the Ukraine conflict. It is not clear what role a president can play in Iran's foreign policy. Again, Pezeshkian's words and deeds will be closely watched. Much will also depend on the efforts of other governments to propose tension-reduction measures. There are glimmers of hope, not yet a shining light.
René Wadlow, Association of World Citizens
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