Since taking office, reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has made provocative statements courting the U.S., while affirming Iran and Hezbollah's right to retaliate.

In an interview with Al-Estiklal, Iranian researcher and dissident Yousef Azizi stated that the Iranian regime is unlikely to engage in direct conflict with “Israel” or the US, opting instead for threats.

Iran has accused “Israel” of the assassination of several of its military leaders and nuclear scientists over the years, and these would be the latest killings as Iran moves closer to nuclear weapons capability.

Despite being initially disqualified by Iran's Guardian Council in 2021 for lacking qualifications, Masoud Pezeshkian later ran in the latest electoral race following direct intervention from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reasons undisclosed.

After Iran's presidential elections aimed at replacing the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically perished in a plane crash on May 19, 2024, concerns have emerged regarding the challenges facing reformist politician Masoud Pezeshkian.