Politicians outline priorities for Pezeshkian: Foreign policy, reforms

In his early days as President of the Islamic Republic, Masoud Pezeshkian has laid out his expectations for his top officials, while politicians are beginning to voice their own demands of the new administration.

Although Pezeshkian's directives are often non-binding, formulaic statements aimed at guiding government officials, politicians are offering more concrete policy recommendations. They are urging Pezeshkian to take decisive steps, warning that these actions are crucial as a starting point for addressing the country's pressing challenges.

According to Aftab News, Pezeshkian's first advice to his ministers during his inaugural cabinet meeting was to "avoid appointing aides based on friendships and kinship ties." However, this guidance appeared contradictory to his own decision to appoint Alireza Kazemi, the brother of IRGC Intelligence Chief General Kazemi, as the Minister of Education.

Meanwhile, Pezeshkian has faced criticism for appointing long-time friends to key positions as vice president and ministers, with accusations that these choices were influenced by shared ethnic backgrounds. Notable examples include Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaem Panah, Shahram Dabiri, and Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi.

Despite this, Pezeshkian advised his colleagues to appoint their aides "based on their capabilities and commitment to the country's strategic plans, rather than on friendship, kinship ties, or shared political affiliations." He emphasized that this approach would "ensure that all officials share a unified vision for the nation."

He further stressed the importance of clearly identifying the individuals responsible for executing their work plans, defining their specific duties, and establishing clear lines of accountability. Pezeshkian also urged his colleagues to approach their tasks with patience, advising against hasty decisions. This sentiment was likely reflected in the Health Minister's response to protesting nurses, asking them to wait at least three months before their unpaid wages totaling $117 million could be paid.

Pezeshkian also called on officials to be transparent with the public, encouraging them to openly explain the reasons behind any failures to fulfill earlier promises.

Meanwhile former lawmaker Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh suggested that the Pezeshkian administration should reduce international tensions as a first step to lifting some of the sanctions, to defend and uphold civil rights and to facilitate an economic reform.

Falahatpisheh, a former chief of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized that Pezeshkian's first priority should be to realign Iran's foreign policy to reduce international tensions, which in turn could lead to a reduction in sanctions against the country.

In the area of domestic politics, Falahatpisheh advised that the new government must uphold Iranians' civil rights, particularly regarding the enforcement of hijab regulations and the Morality Police's violent actions against women who defy compulsory hijab rules. He noted that this was a key promise Pezeshkian made during his election campaign. Falahatpisheh argued that the bill enforcing the compulsory hijab rule is out of touch with the realities of Iranian society and stressed that no law should aim to restrict people's freedoms.

For the third step, Falahatpisheh called for economic reform focused on development. He reminded the public that Pezeshkian had previously stated that powerful institutions, which have monopolized the country's economy, should be made accountable and transparent.

Not mentioning that most of such institutions are linked to Khamenei's office, the IRGC, and religious institutions with non-transparent missions, the politician said that Pezeshkian should carry out a review of the current year's budget. He said tens of trillions of rials in the annual budget have been allocated to institutions whose activities do not benefit the nation. He emphasized that Pezeshkian should make sure that all government and non-government bodies work for the benefit of the nation.