Raeisi Sworn in as President

EghtesadOnline: President Ebrahim Raeisi was sworn into office as Iran’s 8th president before parliament and dozens of foreign dignitaries on Thursday as he pledged to rescue the country’s ailing economy.

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07 August 2021

Raeisi took the oath in a ceremony held on Thursday evening two days after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei endorsed his presidency, IRNA reported.

“In presence of Quran and the nation, I swear to the Almighty God to safeguard the official religion, the Islamic Revolution and the country’s Constitution,” Raeisi said while his right hand rested on a Quran and Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei stood beside him.

After taking the oath, the president delivered his inaugural address to the people during the televised event and outlined his administration’s priorities for the next four years.

Strengthening the national currency rial, curbing inflation, efficient management of resources, technological advancements and protecting the environment were among a list of priorities identified by Raeisi.

He also shared his vision for international relations, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s foremost foreign policy priority is to improve ties with neighboring countries.”

He added, “The world is changing and securing national interests depends on understanding the new world as well as strategic interaction with emerging powers.”

Raeisi reiterated that Iran has a right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology and that sanctions and pressure campaigns had failed to change the national policy.

Favoring Diplomacy

“Sanctions against Iran must be lifted and any diplomatic proposal that can fulfill this objective is supported by us,” the top official said.

Iran and signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, suspended talks in Vienna until the new president began his first term in office.

Hours after the inauguration ceremony, the United States urged Raeisi to return to negotiations.

Iran rolled back on its nuclear commitments after former US president Donald Trump reneged on the accord and imposed unilateral sanctions against the country.

Thursday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by 115 high-level representatives from 73 countries, prompting authorities to close down the capital of Tehran to better control traffic and ensure the safety of the guests.

Among the prominent attendees were Iraqi President Barham Salih, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Special Envoy of Pope Francis Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Sheikh Naim Qassem, and Venezuelan Vice President Ricardo Menendez Prieto were also present in the ceremony.

The European Union also sent a delegation to take part in the inauguration, led by Enrique Mora, a senior diplomat with the European External Action Service.

The ceremony was held in accordance with coronavirus health protocols and all attendees wore facemasks for the event.

According to the Constitution, the president has two weeks to present his cabinet to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Raeisi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf are rushing to introduce and vote on cabinet members to fulfill Ayatollah Khamenei’s wishes for a speedy transition.