Pezeshkian swearing-in ceremony begins at Iran’s parliament

Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian was officially sworn in, with Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i in attendance. During the ceremony, Eje’i remarked that Pezeshkian faces a "significant and heavy responsibility".

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in his opening remarks, said that international observers noted the Islamic Republic did not experience any political tension.

"The tragic death of late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions presented a renewed test for the Islamic Republic of Iran in the eyes of global analysts. The wise leadership of the Supreme Leader turned this into a symbol of stability in Islamic Iran," he added, as MPs chanted the slogan "Death to America" and "Death to Israel".

He stated, "The Parliament will utilize all available tools to support the government in the challenging path ahead."

The official swearing-in ceremony of Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian commences in the Iranian parliament.

High-ranking Iranian political and military officials, as well as foreign guests, have attended the ceremony.

Iran's new President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has arrived at the Parliament to attend his swearing-in ceremony, marking the official start of his presidency.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared Iran's opposition to the Zangezur corridor, calling it "detrimental" to Armenia and affirming a "firm stance" on the matter.

Azerbaijan Republic is seeking a land corridor through Armenia to connect with its enclave of Nakhichevan.

"We are strongly committed to developing relations with Armenia, and cooperation between the two countries will continue robustly based on defined interests, without regard for the policies of others," Khamenei added during a meeting with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday.

Last week, Iran International reported that Tehran and Yerevan have signed an arms deal worth $500 million. According to a list seen by Iran International Iran is set to supply to Armenia drones such as Shahed 136, Shahed 129, Shahed 197, and Mohajer, as well as air defense missiles.

Mostly comprised of low-ranking delegations, representatives from Africa, South America, and Asia, arrived in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

The ceremony, to be held today at the parliament, comes amidst international scrutiny over Iran's controversial policies.

Among the prominent attendees, only Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, and Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, are present.

Also present are representatives from regional allies such as senior Houthi official and the group's spokesperson Mohammed Abdul-Salam as well as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

According to IRNA state news agency, the prime minister of Armenia, the special envoy of the president of Kyrgyzstan, the speaker of the parliament of Uzbekistan, the minister of agriculture of Lebanon, the deputy foreign minister of South Korea, the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the special envoy of the prime minister of Japan, the speaker of the senate of Kazakhstan, the vice president of Brazil, the speaker of the parliament of Mali, the foreign minister of Egypt, the foreign minister of Mauritania, the deputy speaker of the parliament of Sierra Leone, the speaker of the parliament of Burkina Faso, the speaker of the parliament of Senegal, the minister of state for foreign affairs of Qatar, the deputy chairman of the cabinet of ministers of Turkmenistan, the foreign minister of Congo, the minister of transport of India, the minister of state of Jordan, the prime minister of Georgia, the prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the speaker of the parliament of Algeria are among the main guests.

In a meeting with Iran-backed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian stated, "We are certain that the resistance of the Palestinian people and fighters will lead to ultimate victory and the liberation of the land of Palestine."

The meeting took place prior to Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his visit to Tehran. Newly appointed First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref was also present at the meeting.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pashinyan arrived at Mehrabad International Airport, leading a delegation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. Additionally, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, also in Tehran for the ceremony, held a meeting with the Supreme Leader on the same day.

Ismail Haniyeh, Head of Hamas' Political Bureau, and Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, met with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Tuesday. The leaders are in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian.

In a statement, Hamas announced that Haniyeh also held discussions with Pezeshkian, during which he briefed him on the latest political and on-the-ground developments in the Gaza conflict. Haniyeh expressed gratitude for the Islamic Republic's support.

In a meeting with Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesman for Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised the group's recent actions against Israel and maritime navigation.

"Your actions have clearly put pressure on the Zionist regime and its supporters," Pezeshkian said.

The meeting took place as Abdul-Salam visited Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the president-elect. The Iranian president further emphasized the need for collaboration among Islamic countries, stating, "We must work with Islamic countries to end the oppression of Muslims."

Iran's state media says 70 foreign delegations from different countries and international organizations will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Iranian officials are emphasizing the attendance of many foreign dignitaries as a sign of the Islamic Republic's recognition in the world.

However, except a representative from the EU and a delegation from China that does not include top officials, the other foreign guests represent neighboring countries as well as a few friendly government in Africa and Latin America.

So far Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Enrique Mora, the Chief of Staff of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, are among the highest ranking guests.