Iran's newly elected president is likely an attempt to be a 'charm offensive' in anticipation of a possible second Trump presidency, a former US special envoy told the 'Eye for Iran' podcast.

Ellie Cohanim, a former Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism during the Donald Trump administration, was urging the public not to be fooled by an image campaign touting Iran's newly elected president as a reformer or a game changer .

She accused Tehran of promoting Masoud Pezeshkian in a ploy to turn up the 'charm' to try and manipulate the West - and Donald Trump.

Pezeshkian won Iran's run-off presidential election on July 6, besting hardliner Saeed Jalili. The whole election process triggered by the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi, was a process tightly controlled by the core of the regime that hand-picked candidates.

"I understand that in Iran, they are already talking about and preparing in some ways for a Trump presidency." said Cohanim on 'Eye for Iran.'

"I don't think it would have any effect whatsoever. I don't think that Islamic Republic charm offensive is going to sway president Donald Trump."

But just why has that image campaign worked when Pezeshkian refers to himself as a "reformist principlist" who is devoted to Iran's Supreme Leader? Why then has Western media largely propagated him as the hope Iranians need?

Cohanim points to the the Iranian influence network that is operating at the heart of the US government, citing an Iran International investigation. The investigation by Iran International's Bozorgmehr Sharafedin uncovered Iran experts who have worked closely with Robert Malley, as members of an influence network formed and guided by Tehran. 

You can watch the entire episode on Iran's International's YouTube Page or listen to it on Spotify, Apple or Amazon.