Masoud Pezeshkian became the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 28 after Ali Khamenei, the regime’s supreme leader, endorsed the result of the election. Pezeshkian’s predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a suspicious helicopter crash.

At a time when Iran is at the center of a growing conflict in the Middle East, Khamenei’s speech at the ceremony provides critical insights into his views, expectations, and strategic directions. His demand: continue Raisi’s legacy.

Khamenei’s recommendations spanned three key areas: economy, foreign policy, and politics. His words carry significant weight, as they provide a road map for the new government’s actions.

Khamenei emphasized the economy as the main priority for the next government. He stressed reliance on internal resources, a continuation of his “resistance economy” rhetoric aimed at self-sufficiency. He insisted on enhancing the national currency’s value, boosting production, increasing investment, and creating a more favorable business environment.

Absent from his words was inflation, which has fluctuated between 30% and 50% in recent years. Consistently high inflation is the primary economic issue causing dissatisfaction among Iranians nationwide. Economic recovery depends on Iran’s return to the international economy and global financial network, which requires Tehran to change its foreign policy.

However, Khamenei emphasized five foreign policy priorities and showed no indication of willingness to initiate a radical shift.

First, he discussed the importance of active engagement in the regional and global arenas, praising Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian for their efforts. He warned against passivity and asserted his commitment to maintaining an aggressive stance regionally and globally.

Khamenei also emphasized deepening ties with neighboring countries. Over the last few years, Iraq has become the Islamic Republic’s second-largest export market, alongside Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, serving as a hub for circumventing sanctions, terrorism financing, and money laundering. Iran uses Shia groups in Iraq and Houthis in Yemen to threaten its neighbors and attack regional and global powers. The pressure campaign led by Khamenei through his proxies resulted in a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Khamenei named expanding relations with countries in Africa and Asia another priority. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has increased its efforts to develop relations with African countries and expand its influence among non-state militant groups. This follows Tehran’s pattern of establishing and strengthening militant groups in crisis-affected countries.

Khamenei highlighted the importance of having strong relations with countries that have provided diplomatic and economic support to the Islamic Republic in recent years. While Khamenei did not specify these countries, it is evident that he was referring to China, Russia, and other countries such as Venezuela and North Korea. This reaffirms the continuation of his “Look to the East” policy.

He took time to explain that he does not consider relations with Europe a priority because of European countries’ track record regarding sanctions, oil sales, and human rights issues in Iran. To Khamenei, expanding relations with Europeans becomes a priority if Europeans change their behavior.

Khamenei spoke extensively about the war in Gaza, promised victory for the Palestinians, and harshly criticized Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech in the U.S. Congress, which he called a great shame.

Khamenei’s foreign policy priorities did not include a return to the nuclear deal or rapprochement with the United States, signaling that enthusiasm among some Westerners about Pezeshkian may not be warranted.

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Finally, Khamenei put his weight behind the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He asked the military forces and the three main branches of government to work closely, underscoring the IRGC’s increasingly formalized role in governing Iran. Pezeshkian himself strongly supports the IRGC and has demonstrated his support by wearing IRGC uniform.

Khamenei, as Iran’s ultimate decision-maker, unequivocally affirmed the continuation of an aggressive foreign policy and the pivotal role of the military forces in governing the country. Khamenei’s speech should be a wake-up call to anyone dreaming that Pezeshkian would start a new chapter.

Saeed Ghasseminejad is a senior Iran and financial economics advisor at FDD specializing in Iran’s economy and financial markets, sanctions, and illicit finance. Follow him on X: @SGhasseminejad.