Iranian leader focuses on reducing external dependence

In an article, Foreign Affairs highlights that as Iran navigates its evolving foreign policy under President Pezeshkian, the country aims to foster regional stability and reduce its reliance on external powers. 

On July 30, Masoud Pezeshkian took office as Iran's new president. Just hours after his swearing-in ceremony, Ismail Haniyeh, the former prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority and chairman of the Hamas political bureau, was assassinated by Israel at a guesthouse near the presidential complex. Haniyeh had been invited to the inauguration, and his killing on Iranian soil overshadowed the event. It also foreshadowed the foreign policy challenges Pezeshkian will face in the coming years.

However, Pezeshkian is well-equipped to tackle the difficulties ahead. He understands that the world is moving into a post-polar era, where global actors can both cooperate and compete across different domains. His foreign policy approach is flexible, focusing on diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue rather than relying on outdated models. His vision for Iran’s security is comprehensive, integrating traditional defence measures with the enhancement of human security through improvements in the economic, social, and environmental sectors.

Pezeshkian aims for stability and economic growth in the Middle East. He seeks to work closely with neighbouring Arab nations and strengthen ties with Iran's allies. At the same time, he is committed to engaging constructively with the West. His administration is prepared to navigate tensions with the US, which has recently elected a new president. Pezeshkian is hopeful for negotiations on the nuclear deal that are based on equality—and potentially for broader discussions.

As Pezeshkian has emphasised, Iran will not succumb to unjust demands. The country will consistently resist Israeli aggression and remain resolute in defending its national interests.

This is a historic moment for stability that the world must not let pass. Tehran certainly won’t. After more than two centuries of vulnerability, Iran—under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—has finally demonstrated its ability to defend itself against any external aggression. To build on this achievement, Iran, with its new administration, plans to strengthen ties with neighboring countries to establish a regional order that fosters stability, prosperity, and security. Our region has suffered for far too long from foreign interference, wars, sectarian conflicts, terrorism, drug trafficking, water shortages, refugee crises, and environmental damage. To address these issues, we will work towards economic integration, energy security, freedom of navigation, environmental protection, and interfaith dialogue.

Ultimately, these efforts could pave the way for a new regional framework that reduces the Persian Gulf's dependence on external powers and encourages stakeholders to resolve conflicts through established dispute resolution mechanisms. To achieve this, the countries of the region may pursue treaties, establish institutions, implement policies, and enact legislative measures. Iran and its neighbours could begin by adopting a model similar to the Helsinki process, which led to the creation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. They could also use the unimplemented mandate given to the UN secretary-general in 1987 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 598. This resolution, which brought an end to the Iran-Iraq War, called for the secretary-general to consult with Iran, Iraq, and other regional countries to explore ways to improve security and stability in the Persian Gulf. Pezeshkian's administration believes this provision can serve as the legal foundation for comprehensive regional discussions.

By Naila Huseynova