Iran is holding a presidential election runoff on Friday between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili . This follows a record-low turnout in the first round of voting, reflecting widespread discontent over the country’s sanctions-hit economy and regional tensions.
Pezeshkian, the only reformist candidate allowed to stand, secured around 42% of the votes in the first round, while former nuclear negotiator Jalili garnered 39%, according to Iran's elections authority. The turnout was historically low, with only 40% of Iran's 61 million eligible voters participating, marking the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for a higher turnout in the runoff. "The second round of the presidential election is very important," Khamenei said in a video broadcast on state TV. He said that participation was "not as expected" in the first round but insisted it was not an act "against the system."
The election, originally scheduled for 2025, was expedited following the death of ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. In the first round, conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf finished third with 13.8%, while cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi received less than 1%.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon and representative of Tabriz in parliament, has the backing of Iran's main reformist coalition, including former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani. He advocates for "constructive relations" with Washington and European countries to "get Iran out of its isolation."
Jalili, 58, known for his hardline anti-West stance, has substantial support from Ghalibaf and other ultraconservative candidates. He has dismissed the need for the 2015 nuclear deal with the United States and other world powers, claiming it violated Iran's "red lines."
In recent debates, both candidates addressed the low voter turnout and discussed Iran's economic challenges and international relations. Pezeshkian highlighted public dissatisfaction with the government’s management, stating, "People are fed up with their living conditions."
Ali, a 24-year-old university student, expressed support for Pezeshkian, believing he would work on "opening the country to the rest of the world." In contrast, Maryam Naroui, 40, a supporter of Jalili, argued that he was "the best option for the country's security."
Pezeshkian, the only reformist candidate allowed to stand, secured around 42% of the votes in the first round, while former nuclear negotiator Jalili garnered 39%, according to Iran's elections authority. The turnout was historically low, with only 40% of Iran's 61 million eligible voters participating, marking the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for a higher turnout in the runoff. "The second round of the presidential election is very important," Khamenei said in a video broadcast on state TV. He said that participation was "not as expected" in the first round but insisted it was not an act "against the system."
The election, originally scheduled for 2025, was expedited following the death of ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. In the first round, conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf finished third with 13.8%, while cleric Mostafa Pourmohammadi received less than 1%.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon and representative of Tabriz in parliament, has the backing of Iran's main reformist coalition, including former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani. He advocates for "constructive relations" with Washington and European countries to "get Iran out of its isolation."
Jalili, 58, known for his hardline anti-West stance, has substantial support from Ghalibaf and other ultraconservative candidates. He has dismissed the need for the 2015 nuclear deal with the United States and other world powers, claiming it violated Iran's "red lines."
In recent debates, both candidates addressed the low voter turnout and discussed Iran's economic challenges and international relations. Pezeshkian highlighted public dissatisfaction with the government’s management, stating, "People are fed up with their living conditions."
Ali, a 24-year-old university student, expressed support for Pezeshkian, believing he would work on "opening the country to the rest of the world." In contrast, Maryam Naroui, 40, a supporter of Jalili, argued that he was "the best option for the country's security."
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