FM: Iran election results a ‘clear message’ to ayatollahs, world must blacklist IRGC
Katz casts win of reformist Pezeshkian as defeat for Islamist leadership; urges international community ramp up pressure on Tehran over nuclear program, support for terror groups
Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Saturday commented on the win of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran’s presidential elections, casting it as a defeat for the country’s Islamist leadership and urging the international community to ramp up the pressure.
“The people of Iran have sent a clear message of demand for change and opposition to the Ayatollah regime through the elections,” Katz wrote on X after Pezeshkian received more than 16 million votes, around 54 percent, while his rival, ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, took more than 13 million, roughly 44%, out of about 30 million votes cast in the second round of the presidential elections.
“Now the world must designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and demand the cancellation of the nuclear program and the cessation of support for terrorist organizations. This is the only chance to realize the change,” Katz added.
The polls came against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions due to the war in Gaza, a dispute with the West over Iran’s nuclear program, and domestic discontent over the state of Iran’s sanctions-hit economy.
A presidential election was not due until 2025, but was called early after the death of ultraconservative Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May.
Under Raisi, Iran had sought improved relations with China and Russia while mending ties with Arab neighbors, chiefly Saudi Arabia, to avert deeper isolation.
Saudi Arabia led Gulf states in congratulating Pezeshkian. Both Russia and China expressed hopes for further reinforcement of ties.
European Union spokeswoman Nabila Massrali congratulated Pezeshkian on his election, adding that the 27-member bloc was “ready to engage with the new government in line with EU policy of critical engagement.”
In the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran, Pezeshkian gave a speech thanking his supporters, saying their votes have “given hope to a society plunged into an atmosphere of dissatisfaction.”
“I did not give false promises in this election,” said Pezeshkian, flanked by former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
“I didn’t say anything that I wouldn’t be able to do tomorrow.”
In an earlier post on X, Pezeshkian said the vote was the start of a “partnership” with Iran’s people.
Pezeshkian is a 69-year-old heart surgeon whose only previous government experience was as health minister about two decades ago.
He has called for “constructive relations” with Western countries — “except for Israel” — to “get Iran out of its isolation.” He favors reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and global powers, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018. The deal aimed to curb nuclear activity which Tehran maintains is for peaceful purposes.
In Tehran, there were no obvious celebrations on Saturday after the final results were announced, but state TV showed large crowds waving the Iranian flag in the northwestern city of Tabriz, which Pezeshkian had represented in parliament since 2008.
