Iranians are voting in a runoff election to select a new president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The two candidates are hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and moderate Masoud Pezeshkian. The initial round of voting saw the lowest turnout ever and there have been calls for a boycott. Women and those calling for radical change have been excluded from the ballot and the vote will not be monitored by international observers.
This election comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict and Iran’s nuclear program. Iran continues to enrich uranium at near weapons-grade levels despite the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. This election will determine the country’s policies towards the West and the region.
The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say in all matters of state, and presidents can influence the country’s stance on international relations. More than 61 million Iranians are eligible to vote in this election, and turnout is a major question after record low participation in the first round of voting.
Pezeshkian’s supporters have warned against Jalili’s hard-line policies, while Jalili has criticized Pezeshkian for fear-mongering. The death of Raisi, who was seen as a potential successor to Khamenei, has added uncertainty to the election. The outcome will determine Iran’s future direction in domestic and international affairs.
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