In a formal endorsement ceremony on Sunday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officially backed Masoud Pezeshkian as the country's new president. Pezeshkian, a reformist politician and renowned heart surgeon, assumes leadership in a nation grappling with the economic fallout of nuclear sanctions.

During the ceremony, Khamenei urged Pezeshkian to prioritize diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, African and Asian nations, and those that have supported Iran in its foreign policies. Khamenei criticized European nations for adopting sanctions and an oil embargo, accusing them of behaving poorly towards Iran and highlighting alleged human rights abuses. The supreme leader also condemned Israel for its actions in Gaza, decrying the deaths of innocent civilians and labeling the Israeli government as war criminals.

In his acceptance speech, Pezeshkian paid homage to General Qassem Soleimani, the late architect of Iran's regional military activities, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020. Pezeshkian pledged to pursue a constructive and efficient foreign policy, prioritize the rule of law, promote equal opportunities for citizens, support families, and protect the environment.

As his first official act, Pezeshkian appointed Mohammad Reza Aref, a moderate reformist, as his first vice-president. Aref, who previously held the same position between 2001 and 2005 under former President Mohammad Khatami, is regarded as an experienced figure within the political landscape.

Pezeshkian assumes office following the untimely death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash in May, which prompted an early election. He is set to take the oath of office in parliament on Tuesday and will have two weeks to form his cabinet before a vote of confidence.

Despite promising no radical changes to Iran's Shiite theocracy during his election campaign, Pezeshkian faces the challenge of balancing the demands of hard-liners, who continue to exert influence within the government, and the aspirations of reformists. While he has publicly criticized the United States, Pezeshkian also commended Iran's Revolutionary Guard for shooting down an American drone in 2019, advocating for a strong stance against the U.S.

One of the pressing challenges Pezeshkian faces is the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, which has drawn the attention of Western nations. Additionally, concerns persist over Iran's uranium enrichment program, with fears that it could potentially reach weapons-grade levels. Iran has engaged in indirect talks with President Joe Biden's administration regarding the nuclear program, but no progress has been made in lifting economic sanctions against the country.

As Pezeshkian assumes leadership, the world watches closely to see whether his administration will lean towards confrontation or collaboration with the West, and how he will navigate the complexities of governance within Iran.