Iran International
Iran’s defeated presidential candidate Saeed Jalili visited president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s office on Saturday night, less than one day after the election results were announced, where the two held a meeting.
Media in Tehran reported that in this “cordial meeting,” Jalili once again congratulated Pezeshkian on his election and outlined his views on the most important issues facing the country and the solutions to address them.
Jalili who was the candidate of so-called “revolutionary forces” insisted during the election campaign that he was the only candidate with comprehensive plans for the country. His ideas centered on Iran’s self-reliance and trade with friendly countries such as Russia.
President-Elect Pezeshkian reportedly told Jalili, “Having a plan is not the only condition for success; employing knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated individuals is essential to ensure the effective implementation of those plans. “
Pezeshkian’s predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, often faced criticism for appointing officials based on ideological credentials, favoring "revolutionary forces," particularly members and supporters of the ultra-hardliner Paydari party. In contrast, Pezeshkian has pledged to prioritize meritocracy, emphasizing the qualifications and dedication of candidates for top government positions.
However, a lot depends on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in case of ministers and directors of numerous government agencies in Iran’s sprawling bureaucracy. Khamenei or his office have the final say in military, intelligence, ideological and many economic appointments. Pezeshkian also faces a potentially hostile parliament where hardline politicians hold sway, who will closely scrutinize high-level appointments.
Jalili and his hardline political block were able to fill the Raisi administration with ministers and top managers. He often appeared sharing advice with the president and backed him despite his administration’s obvious failure to improve the battered economy.
Media in Tehran reported that Pezeshkian agreed to receive Jalili’s proposals and ideas, but that could have been more of a show of political courtesy than a genuine desire. Jalili’s isolationist ideas seems contrary to Pezeshkian’s pledges about improving Iran’s international relations and trying to reduce sanctions.
“A few hours ago, I had a meeting with Dr. Pezeshkian, and I told him that we consider it our duty to assist in the path of the revolution, the direction of the country, and the three branches of government, including the newly elected president,” Jalili was quoted as saying.
The key phrase here is “the direction of the country” for Jalili, who is steadfast in opposing the West and supporting Khamenei’s foreign policy tenet of relying on Russia and China instead of resolving the nuclear and other issues with the United States and its European and regional allies.
Some speculate that Khamenei allowed Pezeshkian’s candidacy and victory because he has decided to iron out problems with the West, ahead of a possible Donald Trump victory in the US presidential race in November. Others say that he simply wanted new faces representing the Iranian government in order “to buy time” and breathing space considering possible Trump pressures. Whatever the case, Jalili, who has been deeply involved in the Islamic Republic’s national security apparatus for nearly two decades, is here to stay. He may potentially serve as the Supreme Leader’s lever of pressure in both domestic and foreign policy.
The Iranian parliament (Majles), which must approve his cabinet appointments, went on a 10-day holiday for the Shiite mourning month of Muharram, which began on Saturday.
An Iranian parliamentarian said that after the ten days of mourning, the lawmakers will go on summer holiday and Pezeshkian's introduction to the Majles and his swearing-in ceremony will take place sometime in August. Before that, he needs to officially resign as a member of parliament.
This delay might not be entirely detrimental for Pezeshkian, who previously stated he has no plans or list of cabinet ministers. He now has over a month to formulate a plan and compile a list. So far, none of his campaign advisers, primarily from the centrist Executives of Construction Party and the Development and Moderation Party, seem to have provided him with any plan or list.
In the meantime, it is not clear yet, whether Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will endorse Pezeshkian's credentials before the mourning period which could well extend to two weeks, or he is going to do it regardless of religious rituals.
On the other hand, on his first day as President-Elect, a news conference with Iranian and foreign reporters planned for Saturday afternoon was cancelled. The news conference was first re-located from a conference center in northern Tehran to an auditorium in south Tehran without giving any reason to the reporters.
While the reporters were making their way from one venue to another, it was announced without giving a reason that the news conference was cancelled. It is not yet clear who arranged the news conference and who cancelled it as Pezeshkian has no staff and chief of staff yet. However, later during the day, pro-reform Emtedad News said that it was cancelled because Pezeshkian had to go to a meeting with Khamenei.
State television reporter Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran was quoted by Iranian media as saying that during the meeting, Khamenei offered suggestions to the President-Elect. These suggestions may have included advice on addressing questions about foreign policy, including relations with the United States and Europe, and Iran's role in the Middle East.
Some Iranian reporters suspect that the cancellation of the news conference was an attempt to prevent surprises during the meeting with foreign reporters. They believe that those who hastily arranged the news conference intended to throw the inexperienced politician to the media wolves.
During the televised debates, Pezeshkian and other candidates evaded such questions when posed by their rivals. The TV presenters were aware that these topics were off-limits for the candidates, as only Khamenei has the final say in these matters.
Khamenei has assured foreign entities that the new president's tenure will not bring any changes in foreign policy or unexpected surprises for international players. He reiterated in his felicitation message on Saturday that Pezeshkian's mandate is "to continue President Raisi's path" with literally translates into taking no initiative of his own.
Even before the election, the US Department of State said that a change of presidents in Iran will not lead to a change in the country's foreign policy. The DOS reiterated after the elections that “We have no expectation these elections will lead to fundamental change in Iran’s direction or more respect for the human rights of its citizens. As the candidates themselves have said, Iranian policy is set by the Supreme Leader.”
During the weekend, the head of the caretaker government in Iran, Mohammad Mokhber who was visiting Kazakhstan, reassured Russian President Vladimir Putin that no change will occur in Iran's foreign policy as a new president takes office in Tehran.
With all those assurances, Khamenei is likely arranging a series of briefings and introductions for the newly elected president before he dives into the deep end of Iranian politics.
Political analyst Mohsen Sazegara told Iran International that Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, ultimately decides whose name comes out from the ballot boxes.
Earlier in the day, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, during a speech at the burial site of Ruhollah Khomeini, said, "First, I must thank Khamenei. Certainly, without him, I don't think my name would have come out of the ballot boxes so easily."
During his campaign, Pezeshkian mentioned that he had no specific program and would implement Khamenei's policies.
