Iran has elected a new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in a historic victory over his hardline conservative rival, Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian secured 53.3% of the more than 30 million votes counted, while Jalili polled at 44.3%. The run-off election followed a first round with a historically low voter turnout of 40%.
The election was called after the previous president, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash in May. Pezeshkian, a 71-year-old heart surgeon and member of the Iranian parliament, has already garnered congratulations from the leaders of China, India, and Russia.
Pezeshkian’s supporters took to the streets in celebration even before the final results were declared, with videos on social media showing young people dancing and waving flags. The new president-elect has promised unity, an end to Iran’s isolation, and constructive negotiations with Western powers over the 2015 nuclear deal.
In contrast, Jalili, known for his hardline anti-Western stance, opposes restoring the nuclear deal. The election saw a higher turnout of 50% in the latest round, with many voters swaying towards Pezeshkian to prevent further confrontation and isolation.
The vetting process for candidates, run by the Guardian Council, saw 74 others removed from the race, including several women. Despite years of civil unrest and mistrust in the establishment, Pezeshkian’s victory signals a potential shift in Iran’s political landscape.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged the discontent among some Iranians but rejected the notion that the low turnout represents a rejection of the regime. As Iran prepares for a new chapter under Pezeshkian’s leadership, the world watches to see how the country will navigate its relations with the international community.
