
In Iran, high expectations surround newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, there is often confusion about his role as he is sometimes mistakenly perceived as the head of state, which is not the case. Iran’s governance structure is unique and does not conform to standard global systems. The country has a supreme executive, legislative, and judiciary system, with an additional layer of leadership.
While many countries consider these three branches as the pillars of the state, Iran also has the Supreme Leader and the Leadership Institution. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, holds ultimate authority. He oversees all decisions related to both domestic and foreign policy, and his directives must be implemented. The President’s decisions and parliamentary laws only take effect after approval from the Supreme Leader and the Leadership Institution.
Thus, President Pezeshkian’s role involves executing the directives of Supreme Leader Khamenei.
A key issue in Iran’s foreign policy is mitigating the impact of sanctions related to its nuclear program. This broad issue encompasses various significant matters.
Iran’s policy towards the South Caucasus is a priority, making Pezeshkian’s approach to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia of particular interest.
During the years when Azerbaijani territories were under occupation, both reformist (moderate) and conservative (hardline) factions governed Iran. Tehran’s policies during this period included numerous instances of supporting the occupying forces, highlighting that Iran’s stance towards Azerbaijan and Armenia is rooted in its state foreign policy, beyond the President’s legal authority to change.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently visited Iran to express condolences following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. During this visit, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that Iran’s “red line” regarding Armenia remains unchanged.
This stance was echoed in a phone conversation between Pezeshkian and Pashinyan. President-elect Pezeshkian reiterated Khamenei’s previous statements, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic respects the territorial integrity of all states and opposes any alteration of internationally recognized borders.
Notably, Armenia and its supporters have made unfounded territorial claims against Azerbaijan, alleging that Azerbaijan intends to seize Armenian lands. However, official Baku has never made territorial claims against any country. Therefore, Khamenei and Pezeshkian’s statements on this matter lack basis.
This also implies that Iran’s stance towards the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and the Zangezur corridor will not change. Tehran views this project as a significant threat to its geopolitical interests. Pezeshkian lacks the power to alter this policy.
Additionally, Iran’s new president will not be able to change the country’s policies in the Middle East. He also lacks the authority to halt the activities of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Hashd al-Shaabi, Fatemiyoun, and the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards abroad. Unlike former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who played a key role in withdrawing Soviet troops from Germany and Afghanistan, Pezeshkian does not have such legal and executive power.
Despite advocating for negotiations with the West, Masoud Pezeshkian cannot eliminate slogans like “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”
In a congratulatory letter to Pezeshkian, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that Hezbollah and all resistance movements in the region have long fought against the “hegemonic projects” of Israel and the U.S.: “We have always viewed the Islamic Republic of Iran as a strong and steadfast support for the resistance.”
Nasrallah highlighted Ayatollah Khamenei’s leadership of this movement: “Under Imam Khamenei’s leadership, we will continue this path together, aiming for the ultimate victory rooted in the powerful and esteemed Islamic Iran.”
In his response, Pezeshkian assured Nasrallah that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of regional people against the “illegitimate Zionist regime” (referring to Israel). He stated that this support stems from Iran’s fundamental policies, the ideals of Imam Khomeini, and the directives of the Supreme Leader, and will continue with strength.
Pezeshkian is also incapable of expelling or halting the activities of groups opposing Azerbaijan within the Quds Force.
These factors confirm that Masoud Pezeshkian does not have the authority to change Iran’s foreign policy direction.
Yesterday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called Pezeshkian to congratulate him on his election and wished him success.
The new president affirmed that he will continue to strive for the development of relations between the countries in all areas.
During the conversation, both sides expressed confidence that the friendly and brotherly ties between Azerbaijan and Iran, based on common religious and cultural roots, will continue to expand and that cooperation in various fields will develop further.
President Ilham Aliyev invited Pezeshkian to visit Azerbaijan.
Accepting the invitation, the Iranian President, in turn, invited President Aliyev for an official visit to Iran, which was accepted.
A notable point is that Pezeshkian, who speaks Turkish (Azerbaijani Turkish), and received significant support due to this characteristic, faces a question of which language he will use in official or unofficial talks with his compatriot, President Ilham Aliyev – Turkish or the official state language he represents?
During his election campaign, the song “Azerbaijan” was used, and there was a preference for promoting in this language.
It is expected that during any potential visit, Pezeshkian might initially speak in his native language but will continue in Persian according to official protocol, similar to how his predecessor Khamenei adhered to this standard.