IRAN: Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has expressed his desire to improve relations with European nations despite accusing them of failing to uphold their commitments to lessen the impact of US sanctions. Pezeshkian, who emerged victorious in the July 6 runoff election against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, emphasized the importance of "constructive relations" with Western countries to help Iran break its isolation.

Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old reformist, advocates for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and global powers. This agreement, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions, faced a significant setback when Washington unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. In response, Iran gradually reduced its commitments to the deal's terms, although it maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

In an op-ed published late Friday in the Tehran Times, Pezeshkian criticized European nations for not fulfilling their promises to salvage the nuclear deal and mitigate the impact of US sanctions following the American withdrawal. He wrote, "European countries have reneged on all these commitments." Despite this, Pezeshkian remains optimistic about future engagements, stating, "I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with European countries to set our relations on the right path, based on principles of mutual respect and equal footing."

Nabila Massrali, a spokesperson for the European Union, congratulated Pezeshkian on his election, expressing the EU's readiness to engage with the new Iranian government in line with its policy of critical engagement.

Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon by profession, has limited previous government experience, having served as Iran's health minister around two decades ago. His election follows the death of ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, which necessitated an early election initially scheduled for 2025. As a reformist, Pezeshkian was the only candidate from his camp approved by Iran's Guardian Council to run in the election.

The 2015 nuclear deal, seen as a significant achievement, required Iran to freeze its nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions. However, after the US reimposed sanctions, Iran began reneging on its commitments. The deal, supported by the EU, France, Germany, Britain, China, and Russia, was viewed as the best strategy to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb--a goal Iran has always denied pursuing.

European nations, despite their efforts to salvage the deal, faced criticism from Iran for their perceived inaction. As Pezeshkian prepares to take office, his call for constructive dialogue with Europe marks a potential shift in Iran's approach to international relations and its nuclear policy.

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