Iran's new president, Massoud Pezeshkian, is expected to make concerted efforts to improve relations with Western countries, although success will largely depend on the support of conservative factions within Iran and the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election. This perspective was shared with a TASS correspondent by Han Jianwei, an expert from the Center for Middle East Studies at Shanghai Foreign Studies University.
"Despite Pezeshkian's extensive political experience, he is not part of the mainstream political establishment, making his foreign policy stance less predictable than that of conservative figures. However, his campaign promise focused on improving relations with the West and mitigating the impact of international sanctions on Iran. Therefore, he will undoubtedly strive to fulfill this promise," Han Jianwei stated.
The success of Pezeshkian's efforts will hinge on several factors. Key among them is the level of support he receives from "uncompromising conservatives," according to Han Jianwei.
"Another crucial factor is whether the United States and other Western countries respond positively to his overtures for improved relations. This year is a US presidential election year, and if former President Donald Trump returns to power, it is unlikely he would respond favorably to Pezeshkian's signals of détente due to his deeply rooted anti-Iran stance. Conversely, if President Joe Biden remains in office, there could be increased contact and dialogue between the US and Iran. However, achieving real détente is uncertain, given the longstanding mistrust between the two nations," Han Jianwei explained.
Regarding Iran's relations with Russia and China, Han Jianwei noted that the future of these ties will partly depend on how Tehran's relationship with the West evolves. "If Iran significantly improves its relations with the West, it might reduce the emphasis on its ties with China and Russia, which are already not as strong as they once were," he observed.
"In general, Iran will face substantial challenges in enhancing its relations with Western countries. It may attempt to strike a balance between the West, China, and Russia, avoiding the pitfalls of alienating or overly aligning with any single party," Han Jianwei concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on TASS materials