TEHRAN – In a decree on Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Mohammad Reza Aref as first vice president.

“Based on Article 120 of the Constitution and considering your competence, valuable managerial and executive experiences, I will appoint you to the post of first vice president,” Pezeshkian stated in his decree.

The appointment was announced immediately after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed Pezeshkian as president.

“Our common covenant is the Outlook Plan and general policies of the Seventh (development) Plan which should be on the agenda with full power, gaining collective participation and cooperation and tapping the entire potential,” Pezeshkian said in part of his decree.

Aref, 72, also served as first vice president under President Mohammad Khatami from 2001-2005. A graduate of Stanford University, Aref also served as telecommunications minister in the first presidential term of President Khatami from 1997-2001.