Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraq’s new President Nizar Amidi have both issued strong pledges to stand by their respective populations after major political developments on 11 April 2026. Pezeshkian said that, no matter the outcome of the ongoing US‑Iran talks, Iran’s government “will stand by the people,” framing the current negotiations as a test of how Tehran will protect national interests and popular welfare under wartime and sanction‑linked pressure. The statement, delivered in Tehran, emphasised that any peace deal must preserve Iran’s sovereignty and social stability, while affirming that the government will continue to shield citizens from the worst impacts of the conflict and economic strain.
On the same day, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi took the constitutional oath in Baghdad and pledged to “work as a defender of our people’s interests,” describing this as his core duty under the Iraqi Constitution. Speaking before the Council of Representatives, Amidi stressed that his presidency will prioritise national unity, anti‑corruption measures, and reforms to public services, while maintaining Iraq’s independent foreign‑policy stance. The two leaders’ remarks, delivered in very different security and political environments—Iran in a tense US‑Iran war‑linked standoff and Iraq in a comparatively calmer but still fragile domestic‑and‑regional context—are being read as efforts to anchor both presidencies around the idea of “the people first” and to signal resilience in the face of internal and external pressures.
Key highlights
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Pezeshkian: Govt will stand by people regardless of talks’ outcome
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Amidi vows to be defender of Iraqi people’s interests after oath
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Both leaders tie presidency to national unity and social welfare
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Iran message amid US‑Iran ceasefire and war‑linked tensions
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Iraq message ahead of governance and reform challenges in Baghdad