Pezeshkian takes oath of office before Parliament as Iran's 9th president

Before the Holy Quran, Pezeshkian swore to safeguard the official religion of the country, Islam, and the Islamic Republic and the Constitution.

"As president, in the presence of the Holy Quran and before the Iranian nation, I swear to Almighty God that I will safeguard the official religion, the system of the Islamic Republic, and the Constitution of the country,” he stated.

“I will dedicate all my abilities and qualifications to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me, and I will devote myself to serving the people and elevating the nation, promoting religion and ethics, supporting righteousness, and expanding justice,” Pezeshkian added.

As stipulated in Article 121 of the Iranian Constitution, the presidential oath must be administered in Parliament, where the president takes the oath of office in the presence of legislators and members of the Constitutional Council alongside the Judiciary chief.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Iranian politicians, military officials, and members of Parliament as well as dignitaries from 88 countries.

Pezeshkian formally started his four-year term on Sunday when Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei endorsed him as president following his victory in the July 5 runoff election.

Pezeshkian takes over from his predecessor, the late President Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a May helicopter crash sparked the early election.

After the inauguration, the president is required by law to submit the final list of his cabinet to Parliament for approval within two weeks.

'Unparalleled opportunity' for world

In his first speech after taking the oath of office, Pezeshkian urged the world to seize “this unparalleled opportunity” to work with Iran in tackling both regional and global challenges.

"The world needs to seize this unparalleled opportunity to address regional and international issues through the collaboration of a powerful, peace-seeking, and dignified Iran,” he said.

The president promised to uphold Iran's dignity and interests in the world, describing “dignity, wisdom, and expediency” as the three pillars of his foreign policy approach.

He affirmed that constructive engagement with the world would be the cornerstone of his administration’s foreign relations.

"In our vision," Pezeshkian said, Iran “engages constructively and effectively in international relations while emphasizing religious democracy, social justice, legitimate freedoms, the preservation of human dignity and rights, and social and judicial security.”

The president promised to do his utmost to lift the Western sanctions. "I consider the normalization of Iran's economic and trade relations with the world to be Iran's legitimate right, and I will not rest until the unjust sanctions are lifted.”

Pezeshkian asserted that his government will never succumb to bullying, pressure, or double standards.

“The experience of over two decades of negotiations with Iran should have made governments understand that we have been and will remain committed to our obligations,” he said. Iran does “not respond to pressure and excessive demands.”

“Iran has always stood on the right side of history and humanity, and we will continue to stand on this path, which is based on our religious beliefs, cultural values, and Iranian civilization."

Pezeshkian said that improving relations with neighboring countries would be a “priority” of his government. "Neighboring countries should not waste their valuable resources in tensions and protracted rivalries."

"My government seeks a strong region where all neighboring countries can take joint steps towards economic development, progress, and the improvement of future generations' lives through synergy,” he said.

He further called for regional cooperation to create a region free from extremist influences, saying that radical voices should not drown out the voices of the nearly two billion peace-loving Muslims. "Islam is a religion of peace," he said.

The Iranian president also wished for a world where Palestinians are liberated and that “no Palestinian child's dreams are buried under the rubble of their homes.”