Dr Masoud Pezeshkian the new Iranian President: What Next?

Soon after the tragic demise of the former President Ebrahim Raisi along with other key officials including their Foreign Minister in a plane crash, on May 19^th 2024, Iranian authorities have announced the date for the next presidential elections, without any hue and cry. Electoral processes have been carried out, smoothly, without any hindrance and delay, ultimately, the reformist Dr Masoud Pezeshkian has replaced Raisi, in the runoff elections.

The helicopter incident was not an ordinary event for the Iranian nation as it wiped out their top leaderships. Moreover, the country was in an undeclared war against the west, particularly Israel because of the Iranian strikes on Israel in April 2024. Iran was facing smear criticism from the international community, alleging for the violations of international law and the UN Charter. Despite those vulnerabilities, the Iranian administrations have fulfilled their constitutional and legal responsibilities, which illustrate, the prevalence of the rule of law and the supremacy of constitution in the state.

Dr Masoud as the next president of Iran has surprised the global community and the political commentators. It is evident that Masoud is a critical of Iranian isolationist policy and the role of Iran’s moral guards. During his presidential campaign he urged to improve their relations with the west by resolving all the outstanding issues including their nuclear program. On the contrary, his counter-part Dr Saeed Jalili carries strong anti-western narrative and has pledged to pursue the isolationist policy of Iran, if he becomes the president. Jalali also enjoys amicable relations with the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatuallah Khamnaie and was deemed among the closet friends of the late Raisi.

Considering the above dynamics, few fundamental views promulgate regarding the Iranian political system: firstly, the perception of the world that Iran is an authoritarian state seems skewed. Dr Masoud despite being the critic of Iranian policies has won the presidential elections, orwhelmingly, depicting that the electoral process is transparent and the will of people is protected. Secondly, the supreme leader does not influence the matter of state, as his close ally-Dr. Jalili has lost the elections, even Jalili was cherishing the support of the conservative groups

The pertinent question arise: will there be any monumental shift in the policies of Iran? The analysis of last one and half decade reflects that the world has witnessed a paradigm shift in the Iranian foreign policy with the change in their presidents. President Hassan Rohani tried to engage the world and owing to his diplomacy, the western world and Iran has signed the historic nuclear deal-The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, which was later reverted by Donald Trump in 2018. Rohani, nonetheless, continued his reconciliation policies urging the global community to comply with their promises, amid strained response of Trump.  Later in 2021, Rohani was replaced by Ibrahim Raisi, who was famous for his fundamental and anti-western rhetoric, which also emulated in his policies. The rapprochement which has been fostered by Rohani has ultimately faded away due to the self-centric and inward looking policies of Raisi. Currently the political minds are quite optimistic after the landslide victory of Masood, that he will try to develop a positive relationship with the global powers by bringing them on the table, which is not only paramount to fortify the sinking economy of Iran but also valuable for the development of global peace and prosperity.

Pakistan can learn from Iran’s electoral processes and political engagement following the helicopter mishap. During that emergency situation, all Iranian stakeholders worked together to uplift the nation’s morale by conducting free and fair elections. All institutions adhered firmly to the constitution, avoiding political and legal chaos. Conversely, Pakistan has been mired in constitutional and political turmoil for the past two and a half years, with institutions defining laws on their own terms, delayed elections, severe allegations of electoral fraud, and increasing social polarization posing an existential threat. For Pakistan to overcome its current socio-political and economic crises, it needs to develop political stability by enacting the constitution in its true spirit and ensuring the rule of law, as Iran has demonstrated in recent months.