Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on Sunday the appointment of the reformist Masoud Bazkeshian as the new president of the Islamic Republic, following his victory in the early elections held after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
The ceremony to confirm Bazkeshian’s presidency took place at the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyah in Tehran, during which Khamenei announced him as the ninth president of the Islamic Republic since its establishment in 1979.
Khamenei stated, "We have no animosity towards European countries, but they are not among our priorities because their policies towards us have not been good in many files." He described "the Israeli occupation as a criminal gang of killers and terrorists."
Bazkeshian emphasized that "we will strive to enhance Iran's status and strengthen its international relations." He will take the oath of office before the Parliament (Majlis) on Tuesday.
