Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate in Iran, won the presidential election on Saturday. He competed against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili in a runoff. According to the interior ministry, Pezeshkian received over 16 million votes, while Jalili garnered more than 13 million out of approximately 30 million total votes cast. The voter turnout was 49.8%, with more than 600,000 ballots reported as spoiled.
Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to his supporters for voting “with love and to help” the country. He pledged to extend friendship to all Iranians and emphasized unity for national progress during a televised address.
The election was held earlier than scheduled due to the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The first round of voting had seen historically low turnout. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had urged higher participation in the runoff, stressing the election’s significance.
This election took place amidst regional tensions over the Gaza conflict, disputes with Western countries regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and domestic dissatisfaction due to the country’s struggling economy under sanctions.
In the first round, Pezeshkian, the sole reformist candidate, secured around 42% of the vote, while Jalili came second with approximately 39%. Only 40% of eligible voters participated in this round, marking the lowest turnout in any Iranian presidential election since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Pezeshkian’s candidacy, though initially less known, generated hope among Iran’s reformists after years dominated by conservative and ultraconservative factions. He garnered support from Iran’s main reformist coalition and received endorsements from former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, advocated for constructive relations with Western nations to revive the nuclear deal and alleviate Iran’s isolation. In contrast, Jalili, 58, known for his firm anti-Western stance, rallied hardline supporters and received backing from other conservative figures.
During televised debates before the runoff, Pezeshkian and Jalili discussed issues including low voter turnout, Iran’s economic challenges, international relations, and restrictions on the internet. Pezeshkian promised to ease internet restrictions and strongly oppose police enforcement of mandatory headscarves for women, a contentious issue following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, which sparked widespread protests across Iran.
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