Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as the country's new president on Sunday, weeks after his victory in the presidential election.
At a ceremony in Tehran, attended by top-ranking political and military leaders as well as foreign diplomats, the supreme leader handed over the signed decree to Pezeshkian.
The decree was read out by the head of Khamenei’s office, stating that the election concluded with "calmness and sobriety in difficult conditions," and that the new president is "ready to assume the great responsibility."
The 69-year-old president will succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19 in northwestern Iran, along with seven others.
In his remarks after receiving the endorsement, he pledged to follow Khamenei’s advice and plans for the country.
Khamenei, in his speech, urged the incoming government to "work tirelessly" and noted that economic issues are a priority.
