Iran’s hardline leader Ebrahim Raisi seeks to end sanctions amid regional tensions
- The anti-US Muslim cleric is the first conservative hardliner to come into power in eight years
- Raisi says his government will support diplomatic initiatives to end sanctions against Iran
The 60-year-old said in his speech after being sworn in that the policies of sanctions and pressure against Iran have not succeeded, and that his government would support diplomatic initiatives to end them.
Regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he said in his remarks in parliament, which were broadcast over state-run Press TV, with English translation, that nuclear weapons “have no place in our defence doctrine” and are “religiously forbidden” by Islam.
Raisi vowed to proceed in a “tireless manner” to realise the people’s calls for development and justice, stabilise the currency and revive the economy, while “resisting the expansionist policies by the arrogant, aggressive powers”.
He said he would lead an “administration of national unity,” adding, “I am here to serve the population of more than 80 million Iranians.”
Leaders and senior officials from overseas attended his inauguration ceremony in Tehran.
Among them was High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union Enrique Mora, according to a report by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.
Mora has mediated indirect talks between Iran and the US on Washington’s returning to a 2015 deal with six major powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US – agreeing to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.
The anti-US Muslim cleric, who won his landslide victory in the presidential election in June, is the first conservative hardliner to come into power in eight years.
He replaced relatively moderate President Hassan Rowhani who had advocated constructive cooperation with the international community.
The Rowhani administration struck the 2015 deal, which initially had a positive impact on the economy. But in 2018, after then President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement, subsequent US sanctions caused rising prices, a plunging currency and high unemployment in Iran.
Raisi has promised to continue indirect talks with the United States on reviving the nuclear deal, though his unwillingness to compromise may intensify the confrontation between the two countries.
In addition to sanctions that have damaged Iran’s economy, the country has been struggling with a surge in coronavirus infections and other problems such as water shortage amid drought, which have exacerbated public dissatisfaction with the government.
Raisi himself was placed under US sanctions for allegedly being involved in executions of political prisoners in 1988 when he was a Tehran deputy prosecutor.
After being sworn in, Raisi will form his Cabinet within two weeks.
Current Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who led Iran’s talks with the six major powers when they struck the 2015 deal, is likely to be replaced by a conservative hardliner, according to sources close to the matter.
