Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, has won Iran’s presidential runoff election, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian’s victory comes after he promised to ease the country’s strict headscarf law and improve relations with the West.
Results for: Saeed Jalili
Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has widened his lead over hard-liner Saeed Jalili in Iran’s presidential runoff election. The vote comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran’s nuclear program and potential U.S. election outcomes playing a significant role. Despite a low turnout in the first round, officials hoped for higher participation in the runoff. The election results could have a significant impact on Iran’s foreign policy and its relationship with the West.
Massoud Pezeshkian, a moderate reformist candidate, is leading in the Iranian presidential election, according to state-run media. The preliminary results show him with nearly 400,000 votes ahead of his closest rival, Saeed Jalili. The election took place on Friday following the death of the previous president, Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash last month. Pezeshkian is the sole moderate candidate among six contenders, with the remaining five being hardliners. His victory could signal a shift towards a more moderate approach to governance, particularly in areas concerning minorities and women’s rights.