Potential Diplomatic Shift in Iran under President Masoud Pezeshkian

Election of Masoud Pezeshkian and Potential Diplomatic Shift

With the election of Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, as president of Iran, there is speculation about a potential softening of the country’s absolutist foreign policy. Pezeshkian, a cardiologist and former health minister, has promised to empower Iran’s elite diplomats to lead his foreign agenda, hinting at a more open stance towards the West.

Expert Views on Pezeshkian’s Presidency

According to Dennis B. Ross, a former Mideast negotiator, Pezeshkian’s presidency may signal a shift towards a more pragmatic and less confrontational approach in Iran’s foreign relations. However, Ross also highlights that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holds significant power in making key policy decisions, especially in foreign affairs and the nuclear program.

Distribution of Powers in Iran’s Political System

While the Iranian president has limited authority over domestic matters, the supreme leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps wield substantial influence in foreign policy and military affairs. The close alignment between the Revolutionary Guards and Ayatollah Khamenei often determines Iran’s military actions and regional strategies.