IRANS GOVERNMENT
What changes are expected under Iran's new president?
Iranians elected reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as the next president after Ebrahim Raisi's death, winning over 54% of votes with promises of improved relations with the West and reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Pezeshkian aims to ease internet restrictions, oppose mandatory headscarf enforcement, and include more women and ethnic minorities in government. However, facing conservative dominance in state institutions, he may struggle to implement reforms and navigate regional tensions.
View: Reform your 'reformist Iran' opinion
Pezeshkian is eligible for the job because he has demonstrated loyalty to Khamenei. The views of 'reformists' are often indistinguishable from those of 'hardliners'. The new president-elect has been an advocate of mandatory hijab, promoted gender segregation in education and healthcare, and is an enthusiastic supporter of extremist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran vote winner could ease, but won't end nuclear tensions: analysts
Masoud Pezeshkian's victory in Iran's presidential elections has brought hope for easing tensions over Tehran's nuclear program, defeating ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili with support from former president Hassan Rouhani. Despite not being the primary authority on foreign policy or nuclear issues, Pezeshkian aims for constructive relations with the West, contrasting Jalili's hardline stance. However, challenges remain as Iran's nuclear program has advanced significantly, impacting potential negotiations.
Reformist Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential runoff election, besting hard-liner Jalili
Pezeshkian promised no radical changes to Iran's Shiite theocracy in his campaign and long has held Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the final arbiter of all matters of state in the country.
Moderate Pezeshkian expected to win Iran's presidential race, Iranian source says
Masoud Pezeshkian is anticipated to win the Iranian presidential run-off, leading by three million votes over hardline rival Saeed Jalili. The moderate candidate promises to open Iran to the world and expand freedoms. Pezeshkian's lead follows historically low turnout in the first round. His potential victory may ease tensions with the West and promote social liberalization, though skepticism remains about his ability to challenge Iran's power elite. This election coincides with heightened Middle East tensions and pressures over Iran's nuclear program.
Iran holds runoff presidential vote pitting hard-line former negotiator against reformist lawmaker
Voters face a choice between the hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime parliament member who has allied himself with moderates and reformists within Iran's Shiite theocracy.
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Turkmenistan and Iran sign deal to supply gas to Iraq. Iran will build pipeline to aid delivery
Turkmenistan and Iran signed a contract for the annual delivery of 10 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas, which Iran will then transport to Iraq. Iranian companies will build a 125-kilometer pipeline to increase Turkmenistan's delivery capacity, with plans to boost gas supplies to Iran to 40 billion cubic meters a year. This deal aims to mitigate last year's disruptions in Iraq's gas supply from Iran. Turkmenistan, reliant on gas export revenue, also supplies China and plans a pipeline for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Hezbollah's deputy leader says group would stop fighting with Israel after Gaza cease-fire
Hezbollah's deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, stated that a full cease-fire in Gaza is crucial for halting hostilities on the Lebanon-Israel border. He emphasized Hezbollah's support role for Hamas and indicated that if Gaza's conflict ceases, their military assistance will also end. Kassem expressed uncertainty about how Hezbollah would respond to partial cease-fires or ongoing military actions in Gaza. The remarks come amid heightened tensions as talks of Gaza cease-fires falter, raising concerns of escalation along the Lebanon-Israel frontier.
As Iran faces a rare runoff presidential election, disenchanted voters are staying away
Iran will hold a runoff presidential election Friday, only its second since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, after only 39.9% of its voting public cast a ballot the previous week. Of over 24.5 million votes, more than 1 million ballots were later rejected - typically a sign of people feeling obligated to head to the polls but wanting to reject all the candidates.
Iran seesawing vote results put race between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili
Early results from Iran's presidential election show a close contest between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili, with Pezeshkian leading with 5.3 million votes to Jalili's 4.8 million. Another candidate, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, garnered 1.6 million votes. Turnout figures were not yet disclosed. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two contenders will be held. This election follows the recent death of President Ebrahim Raisi, complicating Iran's political landscape amid regional tensions and internal challenges.
Days after Raisi’s death, Iran votes for a new President
Iranians voted for a new president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, choosing from a tightly controlled group of four candidates loyal to the supreme leader. The election coincides with escalating regional tension due to war between Israel and Iran's allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as increased Western pressure on Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear programme.
UN Security Council demands Iran-backed Yemen rebels halt their attacks on ships in Mideast waters
The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution demanding Yemen's Houthi rebels halt attacks on ships and address maritime security disruptions in a critical Middle East waterway. The resolution, approved 12-0 with Russia, China, and Algeria abstaining, did not mention the Houthis' claim that their attacks are related to the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution condemns the Houthis' attacks and calls for addressing regional conflicts.
US targets petrol tankers over Iran nuclear 'escalation'
The United States announced sanctions on Thursday against shipping companies for transporting Iranian oil. The action was taken in response to Iran’s nuclear program actions, just before the presidential elections in Iran.
No matter who wins Iran's presidential election, much may hinge on the 'Great Satan' US
In the waning moments of Iran's final televised presidential debate, one of the top candidates to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi invoked the name of the one person who perhaps has done more than anyone to change the trajectory of the Islamic Republic's relationship with the wider world in recent years.
Who are the candidates in Iran's presidential election?
Six candidates, including five conservatives and one reformist, are set to compete in Iran's presidential election on Friday to succeed the late Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last month.
Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi sentenced to another year in prison
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, imprisoned in Iran, received an additional one-year sentence for activism, including urging voters to boycott elections and writing to European lawmakers about torture. The Iranian government, angered by her Nobel Prize win, has not acknowledged the sentence. Mohammadi, a prominent activist, has faced numerous arrests and protests Iran's mandatory headscarf law. Her case highlights ongoing challenges to Iran's theocratic regime.
Iran lodges protest with China about sovereignty issue
Iran's foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador in Tehran to protest a China-UAE statement regarding Iran's sovereignty over Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands. The islands are also claimed by UAE.
PM Netanyahu aide: Joe Biden's Gaza plan 'not a good deal' but Israel accepts it
In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said Biden's proposal was "a deal we agreed to — it's not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them". "There are a lot of details to be worked out," he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including "the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organisation" have not changed.
India needs strong leader, stable govt as ongoing conflicts worldwide won't end so quickly: Jaishankar
China is constructing roads, bridges and model village at the border on the land it took in 1962 and had made a road to Siachen with the coordination of Pakistan and India has also deployed forces, improved logistics on the border and the budget for India-China border has been increased from Rs 3000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore, the minister said.
Iran's president accident: All about the crashed Bell helicopter that killed Ebrahim Raisi
A Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister crashed in heavy fog on Sunday, with all feared dead, according to state media. The Bell 212, developed for the Canadian military in the late 1960s, is widely used for various purposes, including government transport. The crash's wreckage has been located by search teams.
Pakistan PM declares day of mourning after Raisi death
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning and ordered flags to fly at half-mast following reports of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash. Shehbaz expressed condolences and sympathy to the Iranian nation, stating that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Iran. The gesture comes after Shehbaz hosted Raisi in Islamabad in April to improve relations between the two countries after recent tensions.
Jaishankar visits Iranian embassy, condoles death of president Raisi, foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Iranian embassy in Delhi to offer India's condolences on the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. India is observing a one-day state mourning in their honor. Jaishankar expressed solidarity with the people of Iran during this difficult time and praised Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian for their contributions to India-Iran relations. The crash occurred as Raisi's entourage was traveling to Tabriz after a visit to the Azerbaijan-Iran border.
What we know about the crashed helicopter carrying Iran's president
A Bell 212 model helicopter, developed by Bell Helicopter for Canadian military, crashed in Iran, killing top officials. The aircraft, known for its versatility, is used globally for various purposes. Non-military organizations like Japan's Coast Guard operate it. Iran, a major buyer of Bell and Agusta helicopters, has a history of aviation competence.
India to observe state mourning on May 21 following Iran President Raisi's death
The Indian government declares a day of state mourning on May 21 to honor the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash along with other officials. Raisi, known for his role in Iran's controversial history, faced protests and orchestrated significant geopolitical actions before his demise.
Oil prices climb amid uncertainty over Iran president's fate
Brent rose 26 cents, or 0.3% to $84.24 a barrel by 0049 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) gained 15 cents, or 0.2% to $80.21 a barrel.
Chabahar Port deal with Iran sparks sanctions warning for India from its 'good friend' US
India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement to manage the Chabahar Port, enhancing regional connectivity and providing an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative. The US warned of potential sanctions for dealing with Tehran, but stated it would let India address its foreign policy objectives. The deal strengthens bilateral relations and facilitates trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, with plans to integrate the port into the International North South Transport Corridor. India's investment in Chabahar's infrastructure aims to improve trade routes and access to Central Asian markets.
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