Iran's reformist presidential candidate Massoud Pezechkian met with former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif following reports that he may select him as foreign minister if he wins the June 28 vote.
Iranian media reported on the meeting on Thursday with few details, except for the conservative Mehr News Agency which reported that “Zarif analyzed the country's foreign policy situation and recent ups and downs, and shared his views on international relations.”
Pezeshkian has refrained from expressing his views on foreign policy since being confirmed on Sunday as one of six handpicked administration officials cleared to run for president, but has in the past voiced support for the 2015 nuclear deal and the need to reach a new one.
Local media reported that during his meeting with Zarif, “Pezheshkian stressed the need to move forward in opening up new horizons in foreign policy and shared his views on diplomacy.”
So far, all candidates have avoided issues of foreign policy, tougher sanctions and the deal with the West over Iran's rapidly expanding nuclear program. While they have spoken about Iran's economic policy commitments and offered domestic solutions, none of them have mentioned a shift in foreign policy to reduce or remove U.S. oil exports or other sanctions.
