Iran's new president sparks cautious optimism for improved western relations

The election of Massoud Pezeshkian as Iran’s new president has been met with cautious optimism on the international stage, particularly concerning Tehran’s strained relations with the West.

Newsweek's analysis highlights the potential for "important changes" in Iran's foreign policy despite the overarching influence of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the country’s policies, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Pezeshkian's victory over conservative rival Saeed Jalili arrives at a critical time, with Iran’s nuclear program progressing and a US election on the horizon that could impact the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal from which the US withdrew in 2018.

Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, suggests that while Iran's regional policies will continue to be driven by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Pezeshkian might pursue a more proactive diplomatic approach. This could involve addressing conflicts such as the Gaza war and potentially bringing back the team that negotiated the JCPOA under former president Hassan Rouhani.

Parsi notes that Pezeshkian has emphasized the importance of resolving tensions with the West through direct negotiations rather than relying on intermediaries, a significant shift especially if former US President Donald Trump were to be re-elected.

However, Parsi also cautions that merely engaging in direct talks will not be sufficient to revive the nuclear deal, as key factors have changed for both the US and Iran. Nevertheless, there may be political will on the Iranian side to negotiate a new agreement.