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The Brics summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed the first meeting between Iran and the UAE since they became full members of the emerging economies’ bloc in January. The conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon were high up the agenda as the Russian city of Kazan hosted an event that allowed emerging economies to show off their potential as an eventual alternative to western economic dominance – and the dollar economy – but above all it allowed Putin to bask in the glow of peer group recognition, ahead of the US election, while his war in Ukraine rages on.

The health and status of Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has been the focus of widespread speculation in recent weeks, with conflicting allegations that he had been injured by an Israeli strike in Lebanon or was an Israeli spy – both of which have been denied by Tehran.

Pezeshkian presented his first draft budget to the Majlis-e Shura-ye Eslami on 22 October, setting out plans to reduce taxes for poorer Iranians, boost oil production, reform energy subsidies, and bolster the country’s military. 

The barrage of up to 200 ballistic missiles Tehran fired at Israel on 1 October was the latest in a series of escalatory steps taken by Israel and Iran, as a conflict that began in Gaza a year ago threatens to spread across the region. Arab Gulf states have largely been bystanders to the events, but could yet fulfil important roles – by providing mediation, influencing allies and helping to stabilise energy markets.

Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured when explosives hidden in pagers were detonated across Lebanon on the afternoon of 17 September, in a campaign targeting members of Hizbollah and the group’s allies.

President Masoud Pezeshkian and foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi have been holding talks with their international counterparts, in early efforts to try and reset Iran’s relations with regional and global powers, with former foreign minister Zarif helping from the sidelines. However, tensions with Israel could yet lead to further regional instability and undermine hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, while domestic issues also hold the potential to create further difficulties for the new administration.

President Masoud Pezeshkian secured parliamentary approval for his full cabinet on 21 August – the first time this had happened in more than two decades. The process was helped by the implicit support for his nominees from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – but the limited number of female, young and moderate ministers has irked some of the president’s supporters.

Tehran has been touting its domestically-produced air defence systems, but has also reportedly been seeking more advanced equipment from Russia, amid fears of further confrontations with Israel.

Masoud Pezeshkian was formally endorsed by Rahbar (Supreme Leader) Ali Khamenei on 28 July, followed by a public ceremony two days later. However, any chance of being able to ease into the new job ended abruptly with Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in the early hours of 31 July. The region is still awaiting Iran’s response.

Azerbaijan has reopened its embassy in Tehran, almost 18 months after the diplomatic mission was shuttered following an armed assault.

The new Labour government in London is considering drawing up a new definition of state-sponsored terrorism

Given his position as the only moderate standing in the presidential election, Masoud Pezeshkian was not expected to win the race to become the Islamic Republic’s next president. Having jumped that hurdle, he now faces a daunting set of domestic and international policy challenges.

Former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian, the only moderate allowed to run in the snap presidential election on 28 June, topped the ballot and secured a place in a run-off vote against hardliner Saeed Jalili. However, a new record low for turnout shows how disengaged most Iranians have become from the political process

Bahrain’s foreign affairs minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani has met his counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani in Tehran to discuss the restoration of diplomatic ties after an eight-year break.

Role Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (Irib) (2021-) Social Media X: @Jebelli_ir Instagram: @jebelli_ir Sanctions European Union, United States Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (Irib) chief Peyman Jebelli is accountable only to Rahbar (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, ensuring Iranian media voice the regime’s opinions and policies – making him a key player setting up the current presidential election campaign.