Iran's president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian says he will "extend the hand of friendship to everyone" in his first remarks since being declared winner of a runoff vote against former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
"We will extend the hand of friendship to everyone; we are all people of this country; we should use everyone for the progress of the country," Pezeshkian said on national television on Saturday.
Later, he took to X to thank the Iranian people for putting their trust in him, pledging not to let them.
"Dear people of Iran, the elections are over and this is just the beginning of our togetherness. The difficult path ahead will not be smooth except with your companionship, empathy and trust. I extend my hand to you and I swear on my honor that I will not leave you alone on this path. Don't leave me alone."
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi also thanked the people for their participation in the vote and congratulated Pezeshkian over the victory.
"Thanks God, the 14th presidential election ended in full security, soundness and serious competition of candidates and the participation of over 30 million people of Iran, and the ninth president of Iran was elected.
"Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian was elected as the head of the 14th government, and I would like to congratulate him," he said.
Vahidi touched on wrong analyses and efforts made to suggest that elections in Iran had no meaning, saying the results put the seal on the invalidity of such claims.