Alok Acharja

Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezheshkian, posted on social media. Addressing the people of Iran there, he said, 'Without your companionship, sympathy, and trust, the difficult road ahead will not be smooth. I extended my hand to you.' The new journey of Iran started with Pezeshkian's hand. Pezeshkian is said to be a reformer. He won this election after a hard-fought battle. The people left the hardliners and chose a new path for Iran. He is said to be pro-Western. So many new things can be seen as such. For example, Saudi Arabia and Iran may also need fresh air because the closest ally of the United States is Saudi Arabia.

Four candidates competed in the first round of Iran's presidential election. Pezheshkian was the only reformist candidate among them. However, as per the rules, no candidate got more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, so the second round of voting was held last Friday. The second round was contested between Masoud Pezheshkian, who was first and second in the first round, and the ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili.

Earlier, the country announced the timing of presidential elections after the late President Ibrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash. After the helicopter crash, the discussion came up worldwide. The subject was an analysis of the cause of the sudden crash and the future president who would essentially replace Rice. Accidental conspiracy theories emerge. It didn't last long, though. Elections were held, and Masoud Pezishkian was elected president after fierce competition.

As the new president of Iran, whether he can be a popular leader for the people or not will be determined. As Iran's leader, Raisi maintained considerable influence in Iran and was the most powerful person after Khamenei. He was replaced by Masud Pezeshkian. But two people have two ideologies. Due to the bigotry in the country, those who were looking for reforms have now chosen their favorite people. Pezeshkian has been advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities as a lawmaker since 2008. In his personal life, he was a physician and politician.

As a heart surgeon of Azerbaijani and Kurdish heritage, he actively participated in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–88. He not only sent medical teams to the battlefield but also served as a warrior and doctor. In 1993, he obtained a specialty degree in cardiac surgery from the Iran University of Medical Sciences. Because of this experience in surgery, he was appointed president of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. He held that position for five years. He lost his wife, Fatemi Majedi, and a daughter in a road accident in 1994.

His career as a politician began in 1997, when he joined Mohammad Khatami's administration as deputy health minister. In 2001, he was promoted to Minister of Health and served in that position until 2005. He criticized the suppression of political and social dissent by government agencies.

Pezheshkian sought an explanation from the authorities regarding the death of Mahsha Amini in 2022. She died in police custody after being arrested for violating the Women's Dress Code. His death sparked months of unrest across Iran. According to various international media reports, most of the people who voted for Pezeshkian are believed to be urban middle-class and young. They want change. Wants to play a role in building a new Iran. What will the new Iran look like, and is it possible to change Iran? Long-standing customs or reforms in a country cannot be changed suddenly. It's foolish to try that. Pezhishkian doesn't seem to even attempt that. But it is possible to create a path. Raisi was known as a hardline leader of Iran. What role Pezeshkian will play in establishing relations with the Western world, however, cannot be said yet.

However, the possibility of a new era is being talked about. How he will be received by the West is also a matter of consideration. The nuclear deal has been stalled for the past few years. Somehow, the West has continued its nuclear program in defiance of sanctions, and Raisi has had a strong position there. It is said that his courageous role has led Iran's nuclear program to the point where it has become a global headache.

Analysts said Pezeshkian could move peacefully out of a tense standoff over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Relatively moderate president, in 2015 he concluded the Iran nuclear deal with some of the world's most powerful countries.

Pezeshkian called for "constructive talks" with Western powers on renewing the 2015 nuclear deal. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to halt its nuclear program in exchange for easing Western sanctions on Iran. At the same time, he emphasized improving the possibilities of social liberalism and political pluralism to reduce tensions. Pezeshkian's view is opposed to Raisi's.

Raisi was a loyalist of the Khamenei regime. How far he can move past Khamenei is also questionable. Khamenei and the hard-liners who have so far supported events like Masha Amini's in which human rights and the world have spoken out will have a lot of firewood to burn if he wants to make a difference. Nothing will certainly be forced.

That is possible only through an awakening. Sanctions surround Iran's economy. Iran has to face many sanctions based on the nuclear issue. Moreover, the relationship with Saudi Arabia is not very pleasant. That is why he has to play an important role in bringing back the economy. Pezeshkian has promised to revive an economy plagued by mismanagement, state corruption, and US sanctions.

Analysts believe Pezekian can play an important role in changing geopolitics. The new beginning of Iran will be held in his hands. Which can affect not only Iranian politics but also international politics. A change is sure to come in Iran. But it is also certain that it will not happen at a fast pace. He has to face many obstacles. To be criticized. It remains to be seen how far he will be able to overcome those hurdles.

The writer is a Columnist, Pabna