Tornado Alley (PROG)

[12yearplan]

But analysts remain sceptical about his ability to enact meaningful change within an establishment dominated by ultraconservatives.

When Mr Pezeshkian's name was confirmed on the ballot four weeks ago, following the death of hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, even his most loyal supporters were shocked that he had made it past the Guardian Council.

The powerful body of clerics and jurists which vets candidates' religious and revolutionary credentials had barred many prominent reformists and moderates from standing in recent elections, including Mr Pezeshkian himself for the last presidential poll in 2021.

But once his candidacy was approved this time, Mr Pezeshkian carefully balanced promises of change with declarations of loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in the country.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmm25dq14j3o