Masoud Pezeshkian has been formally inaugurated as the new President of Iran, receiving his appointment certificate from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Khomeini Mosque in Tehran, attended by political elites and foreign diplomats.

This early election was necessitated by the tragic death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May.

Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon and former lawmaker, won the presidential runoff election against hardliner candidate Said Jalili with a voter turnout of 49.7%.

During his campaign, Pezeshkian promised reforms in both domestic and foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hope among the populace.

His presidency is expected to navigate tensions between those advocating for resistance to Western sanctions and those who believe engagement is essential for Iran's independence.

Pezeshkian has expressed a desire to reopen diplomatic discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, which have been stalled for over a year.

He has indicated that economic growth is contingent upon relief from U.S. sanctions and removal from the Financial Action Task Force blacklist.

Pezeshkian faces significant domestic challenges, including extreme heat causing government office closures and a right-wing parliament poised to critique his administration.

He is set to be officially sworn in at the Parliament on Tuesday, where he will introduce his vice presidents and cabinet members.

Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in Iran's political system, endorsed Pezeshkian during the ceremony, highlighting the president's role as a government manager.

Despite his moderate stance, ongoing human rights concerns persist, as evidenced by the recent death sentence issued for Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi.