Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, won Iran’s runoff presidential election by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement of the mandatory headscarf law. He defeated hard-liner Saeed Jalili with 16.3 million votes. Pezeshkian’s victory comes at a challenging time with tensions high in the Middle East, Iran’s advancing nuclear program, and a looming U.S. election. His win was not a rout, indicating careful navigation of Iran’s internal politics will be necessary.
The election saw historically low turnout of 49.6%, with concerns about the legitimacy of the process. Iran’s economy has been strained by sanctions, mass demonstrations, and crackdowns on dissent. Pezeshkian’s victory could potentially shape Iran’s foreign policy towards confrontation or collaboration with the West amid ongoing regional tensions.
The race also focused on the impact of former President Donald Trump on relations with Iran, with indirect talks between Iran and President Joe Biden’s administration ongoing. Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, has expressed both reformist and hard-line views during the campaign, honoring the Revolutionary Guard while criticizing the U.S. He has advocated for a strong stance against American aggression.
The late President Ebrahim Raisi, a potential successor of the supreme leader, was known for his involvement in mass executions in 1988 and crackdowns on dissent. Pezeshkian’s win signals a potential shift in Iran’s domestic and foreign policies as he takes office amid a complex regional and international landscape.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com