Supreme Leader officially endorses Pezeshkian as Iran's president

TEHRAN (defapress) - In a ceremony at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh on Sunday morning, the Supreme Leader endorsed Pezeshkian as the 9th president of the Islamic Republic, based on Article 110 of the Constitution.

“I endorse His Excellency Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, said a decree by Ayatollah Khamenei, which the chairman of his office read out.

In his decree, the Supreme Leader hailed the 14th presidential election as one of the honors of the Islamic Republic and thanked Iranian people and officials for holding the vote in a calm environment. 

President Pezeshkian made a speech as well. He thanked the Supreme Leader for his wisdom which opened the way for the nation’s effective participation and meaningful competition between different political views.

Pezeshkian also said he has been assigned a heavy responsibility as the Iranian nation has voted for him. He said that adhering to the law is the only means that helps the government resolve problems and fulfill people’s expectations.

The president added that interaction between the government and people also helps the country develop, noting that his administration intends to achieve the goal by remaining committed to general policies announced by the Supreme Leader.

Unity and adhering to religious values are other key factors as well, Pezeshkian said, giving the pledge that his administration will serve the people as much as it can and will “take no path but the path of justice and fairness”.

Before the endorsement, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi briefed the public about the presidential election process. He said that the election fulfilled the main principles set by law, as it was held without any irregularities in a safe and secure environment, and with people’s participation.  

The ceremony was attended by top officials including former acting president Mohammad Mokhber, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i.

Pezeshkian was elected president in the runoff vote held on July 5, winning against Saeed Jalili. The runoff was held a week after the first round of the snap presidential election held to choose a successor to the late president Ebrahim Raisi who lost his life in a helicopter crash in western Iran on May 19.

The inauguration of Pezeshkian is set to take place on Tuesday, July 30, with the participation of top Iranian officials and delegates from 70 countries.