One year with Pezeshkian; his discourse foiled enemy’s plot
A full year has passed since Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s presidential election on July 5, 2024. During this time, both domestic and international developments—large and small— affected the trajectory of his government, with the most significant being the 12-day war waged by the Zionist regime of Israel and the United States, which inevitably disrupted the usual course of the 14th administration since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Against this backdrop, assessing the incumbent government—which has now completed a quarter of its term—logically calls for an evaluation given the promises and slogans declared by the president himself. From the moment the seasoned heart surgeon and veteran politician entered the presidential race, one phrase stood out as a recurring theme in his speeches: “National Unity.” This was not just a slogan but evolved into a central discourse and defining framework for his administration.
An examination of government appointments under the 14th administration clearly shows that Pezeshkian sought to bridge political and social divides through cross-partisan selections and the inclusion of specialists and professionals from various ethnic and religious backgrounds across all levels of government. In doing so, he fulfilled a key campaign pledge. Even critics have acknowledged that, in this regard, his efforts to engage diverse groups in building a strong Iran deserve passing marks.
This core message of unity came into sharp focus during the 12-day war, when the Zionist enemy launched a blatant act of aggression against Iran’s territory, aiming to sow internal discord and pursue separatist goals. The enemy, misreading the situation, mistakenly believed that internal grievances, protests, and dissatisfaction—which, while real, exist to some extent in nearly every society—had created deep rifts in Iranian society. They gambled that a military strike would trigger social unrest and bring the state to its knees.
But the reality played out in stark contrast. Rather than fueling disintegration, the attack galvanized public solidarity. Even routine frustrations and day-to-day complaints were momentarily set aside, as a single voice echoed in defense of the homeland. The people stood united, shoulder to shoulder, firmly resisting the enemy and defending the country’s sovereignty, Armed Forces, and territorial integrity with unwavering resolve.
While the external shock of war undeniably helped consolidate this national cohesion, the president’s peace-oriented discourse also played a significant role. As noted earlier, the government’s commitment to actualizing “unity” through inclusive appointments—across ethnic, religious, and local lines—proved instrumental in strengthening the fabric of society and fostering a sense of shared purpose among the country’s top officials and policymakers over the past year.
This approach also went a long way in narrowing the gap between the public and the state.
For years, a lack of local representation in government had left many citizens feeling sidelined. The new administration’s inclusive policies have helped reverse that sentiment, making people feel seen and heard.
Moreover, the Pezeshkian administration consciously steered clear of actions that could spark division or social tension, instead prioritizing decisions that would reinforce social cohesion. A case in point was the president’s opposition to the enforcement of the “Hijab and Chastity Law”—a move widely interpreted as a step toward reducing societal friction.
The idea of unity did not stop at the social level; it extended into the political sphere as well. A noticeable increase in cooperation among the three branches of power emerged, with regular coordination meetings led primarily by the president himself, aimed at aligning strategies and managing national affairs at the highest level.
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