"Big test" ahead

Hours after being announced as the winner, Pezeshkian told his supporters at Imam Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran that helping the country pass through the "bottlenecks, challenges and crises" would be a "big test" ahead.

During his speech, he acknowledged the challenging circumstances facing his administration and expressed a commitment to working with the Iranian parliament to reduce tensions and navigate through difficulties.

He also expressed his intention to promote dialogue, unity, and national consensus within the country's establishment and governance to address societal issues in economic, social, cultural and political spheres.

Many experts agree that economic downturns, U.S.-led sanctions and escalating regional tensions are among the most pressing challenges.

"Economy-related issues, including trade and high inflation, and the removal of the sanctions" are among the major woes faced by the new government," Hassan Beheshtipour, a Tehran-based Iranian international affairs analyst, told Xinhua.

According to Statista, Iran's inflation rate, which has long stood above 30 percent, has risen to over 40 percent after the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Besides soaring food prices, Iranians have been grappling with the devaluation of the rial compounded by Iran-Israel tensions and a high unemployment rate, which reached 8.9 percent in 2023, Statista showed.

Mostafa Khoshcheshm, another Iranian international affairs expert, said that "the confrontation between the resistance front and Israel is among the top challenges, which will lead to great geopolitical changes in the region."

Despite challenges, Iranian citizens hope the reformist president-elect could promote economic prosperity and address the country's increasing tensions with Israel and Western powers.

Masoud Hosseini, 53, said he expected Pezeshkian to deliver on his campaign pledges "especially in areas such as improving the people's livelihoods."

"We expect the inflation to be curbed and the housing sector to improve," said Maryam, a 50-year-old mother of three, expressing her hope that the new president would enhance Iran's ties with other countries to safeguard national interests.

The new administration should help ensure peace and calm in the region, Manouchehr Rahiminejad, 58, told Xinhua. However, he noted he did not expect the president-elect to "do a miracle and resolve the country's problems in one or two years."

"No matter who is elected, he should be given sufficient time to solve the problems," he said.

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