Reformist takes over as Iran’s president after Supreme Leader offers endorsement

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as president (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP)

Iran’s Supreme Leader has formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as president, allowing the reformist politician and heart surgeon to take charge of a country weakened by economic sanctions over its nuclear programme.

During an endorsement ceremony in the capital, Tehran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Mr Pezeshkian to prioritise neighbours, African and Asian nations as well as countries that have “supported and helped” Iran in Tehran’s foreign relations policies.