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Gibson Nyikadzino
Herald Correspondent
Iran’s President-elect Dr Masoud Pezeshkian says his administration will “welcome sincere efforts to alleviate tensions and reciprocate good-faith with good-faith” in its foreign policy as part of preserving his country’s interests on the international arena.
The 69-year-old is replacing President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
He campaigned on a platform of reform, national unity and constructive engagement to beat Saeed Jalili and clinch the July 5 runoff election. He will be officially inaugurated on July 28.
In his message “To the New World”, Dr Pezeshkian outlined how “balance” will play a key role in his country’s engagement with other countries and champion the establishment of a “strong region” rather than one where a single country pursues hegemony and dominance over the others.
He also expressed solidarity with Palestinians in the face of the Israeli onslaught, reminding all states to prevent genocide and not to reward it through “normalisation of relations with the perpetrators”.
“My administration will pursue an opportunity-driven policy by creating balance in relations with all countries, consistent with our national interests, economic development, and requirements of regional and global peace and security.
“Accordingly, we will welcome sincere efforts to alleviate tensions and will reciprocate good-faith with good-faith,” read the message.
Dr Pezeshkian said that, along with neighbouring and regional countries, Iran would embrace collaboration in tackling problems of sectarian conflicts, terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking among others for the benefit of future generations.
Cooperation for regional development and prosperity would be the guiding principle of Iran’s foreign policy during his tenure, calling on neighbouring Arab countries to prioritise achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“My administration will urge our neighbouring Arab countries to collaborate and utilise all political and diplomatic leverages to prioritise achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza aiming to stop the massacre and prevent the broadening of the conflict.
“We must then diligently work to end the prolonged occupation that has devastated the lives of four generations of Palestinians,” Dr Pezeshkian said.
Besides missteps that occurred in implementing the 2015 nuclear deal, the president-elect said he was looking forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with European countries “to set our relations on the right path, based on principles of mutual respect and equal footing”.
He reminded the US that to recognise the reality and understand “once and for all, that Iran does not, and will not, respond to pressure”.
He recognised that the global landscape had evolved beyond traditional dynamics, saying Iran would be committed to fostering mutually beneficial relations with emerging international players in the Global South, “especially with African nations”.
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