Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has won the presidential election in Iran
In the Friday runoff, Pezeshkian secured over 16.3 million votes out of 30.5 million counted, while his ultraconservative opponent, Saeed Jalili, received more than 13.5 million votes.
The election headquarters, under the interior ministry, reported a voter turnout of 49.8 percent.
Pezeshkian’s victory came in a second round of voting after he led the first round, which saw the lowest turnout since Iran’s establishment in 1979.
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Pezeshkian will assume the presidency at a time of increasing international isolation, internal discontent, a struggling economy, and potential conflict with Israel.
The snap election was held following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash in May.
As the only reformist candidate allowed to run after others were barred, Pezeshkian supports engaging in talks with Iran’s adversaries, particularly regarding the nuclear program, to address domestic issues.
During a recent debate, he emphasized the need to solve problems with the world to overcome national challenges.
Despite the presidential powers in Iran, ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader. Pezeshkian, a former health minister under reformist President Mohammad Khatami, is a heart surgeon and lawmaker known for his opposition to the 2009 crackdown on pro-democracy protests and the 2022 violence by morality police following Mahsa Amini’s death.
Amini died in police custody for not adhering to Iran’s strict dress code for women, leading to widespread protests.
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Pezeshkian criticized the use of force to implement religious faith and called for accountability from all societal sectors.
Pezeshkian, 69, from an ethnically mixed family with an Azeri father and Kurdish mother, has gained support from minorities but also faced xenophobic attacks.
Experts suggest his moderate stance could facilitate dialogue with Western nations and potentially bring social changes, although these are not guaranteed.
Sanam Vakil of Chatham House noted that Pezeshkian’s election might not immediately lead to policy changes, but he could work towards a less repressive environment.
However, his presidency comes amid heightened tensions with Israel and its Western allies, exacerbated by the Gaza conflict and Iran’s nuclear advancements.
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Recently, Iran and Israel exchanged fire, with Iran warning of an “obliterating war” if Israel launches full-scale aggression against Lebanon.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded that a regime threatening destruction should itself be destroyed. Experts do not expect Pezeshkian to alter Iran’s stance on Israel.
