TEHRAN, Iran: Polls opened Friday for Iran’s runoff polls, pitting ultraconservative Saeed Jalili against reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in the race to succeed president Ebrahim Raisi who passed away in a May helicopter crash, the interior ministry stated.
Iran is holding a presidential election runoff on Friday between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, following a record-low turnout in the first round. The runoff takes place amidst regional tensions over the Gaza conflict, disputes with the West regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s sanctions-hit economy.
In the first round, Pezeshkian, the only reformist allowed to run, secured approximately 42% of the votes, while former nuclear negotiator Jalili garnered 39%, according to Iran’s election authority. The turnout was notably low, with only 40% of the 61 million eligible voters casting their ballots, marking the lowest participation rate since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for higher voter participation in the runoff, emphasizing the importance of the second round. He noted that while the first-round turnout was lower than expected, it was not an act against the system.
The election was originally scheduled for 2025 but was moved up due to the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. The runoff candidates have engaged in two debates addressing Iran’s economic struggles, international relations, low voter turnout, and internet restrictions.
Masoud Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon representing Tabriz in parliament since 2008, has the backing of Iran’s main reformist coalition, including former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani. Pezeshkian advocates for “constructive relations” with the United States and European countries to end Iran’s international isolation.
Saeed Jalili, 58, supported by a base of hardline followers, received endorsements from conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other ultraconservative candidates who withdrew from the race. Jalili is known for his staunch anti-West stance and believes Iran does not need the 2015 nuclear deal to progress. He has criticized the deal for allowing inspections of nuclear sites and violating Iran’s “red lines.”
Public opinion remains divided. Pezeshkian’s supporters hope for a more open Iran, while Jalili’s followers prioritize national security and continuity of conservative policies. The outcome of this runoff will significantly impact Iran’s domestic and international policies moving forward.
