IRIA News

In a closely contested run-off election, centrist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has been declared the next president of Iran after securing 53.7 percent of the vote. Pezeshkian emerged victorious against hardline rival Saeed Jalili, becoming the country’s second-highest-ranking official.

The 69-year-old reformist candidate will replace Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last month.

Pezeshkian secured nearly 16.4 million out of 30 million votes. Jalili, on the other hand, received approximately 13.5 million. The run-off election saw a voter turnout of 49.8 percent, a significant improvement from the historically low turnout of 40 percent in the initial round on June 28. The low participation in the first round reflected widespread mistrust of the political process, as many Iranians felt that the elections offered little chance for real change.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected suggestions that the low turnout represents a rejection of his rule. “There are reasons [behind the low turnout] and politicians and sociologists will examine them, but if anyone thinks that those who did not vote are against the establishment, they are plainly wrong,” he said. In a rare move, he acknowledged that some Iranians do not accept the current regime. “We listen to them and we know what they are saying and it is not like they are hidden and not seen,” Khamenei said.

Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, the president-elect, met with the Imam Khamenei. During the meeting, the Leader congratulated him on winning the elections & expressed hope that Dr. Pezeshkian would take steps towards progress using the abundant capacities in the country.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) July 6, 2024

At the same time, Khamenei congratulated President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian on winning the runoff election and asked him to utilize the country’s capacities for progress and development.

Challenges ahead

Pezeshkian has promised a new era of inclusivity and reform for the Iranian people. In his first public address following the announcement of his win, Pezeshkian emphasized the challenges ahead, stating, “We are ahead of a big trial, a trial of hardships and challenges, simply to provide a prosperous life to our people.”

Jalili conceded defeat gracefully, urging the country to support the newly elected president. “Not only should he be respected, but now we must use all our strength and help him move forward with strength,” Jalili stated on state television.

Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and member of parliament since 2008, has a personal story marked by tragedy and resilience. Having lost his wife and one of his children in a car accident in the 1990s, he raised his remaining three children alone. His political career includes serving as the country’s health minister and representing the city of Tabriz in parliament.

To run for office, both candidates had to pass a vetting process overseen by the Guardian Council, a powerful body composed of 12 clerics and jurists. This process eliminated 74 other candidates.

Following years of civil unrest, culminating in significant anti-regime protests in 2022-23, many young and middle-class Iranians deeply mistrust the establishment and have previously boycotted elections.

National security challenges

Pezeshkian’s victory is seen as a potential shift towards a more pragmatic foreign policy and efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. This agreement, which saw Iran curb its nuclear program in exchange for eased sanctions, was unilaterally abandoned by the United States in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. The renewed focus on diplomacy could also improve prospects for social liberalization within Iran.

In his victory speech, Pezeshkian promised to serve all Iranians, highlighting the importance of listening to the people’s voices and fulfilling his campaign promises. He underscored his commitment to avoiding a rift with Iran’s political establishment, repeatedly praising Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This gesture was seen as an attempt to bridge the divide between the state and the people.

World leaders’ reactions

The election of Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran’s next president received warm reactions from global leaders, however, Western leaders refrained from extending their wishes for the new Iranian President.

Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Pezeshkian, expressing hope for stronger bilateral relations, stating, “I hope that your tenure as president will contribute to a reinforcement of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples.” Before the election, Putin met with interim Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, as both nations work on a comprehensive bilateral cooperation agreement.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Pezeshkian. “I affirm my keenness on developing and deepening the relations between our countries and people and serve our mutual interests,” the Crown Prince stated. This follows the China-brokered agreement in March 2023, where Iran and Saudi Arabia re-established diplomatic relations to enhance cooperation.

Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Pezeshkian’s victory, stressing the importance of their bilateral relationship. “I am confident that through our joint efforts, we will ensure further strengthening of the traditional friendly relations and the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in line with the interests of our peoples and countries.”

China: Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to enhance China-Iran relations. “I attach great importance to the development of China-Iran relations and am willing to work with the President to lead the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper advancement,” Xi said.

India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his eagerness to work with Pezeshkian. “I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our warm and long-standing bilateral relationship for the benefit of our peoples and the region,” Modi said, emphasizing the enduring connection between India and Iran.

Syria: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad emphasized the deep-rooted relationship between Syria and Iran. “This relationship is based on roots established through decades of mutual respect, common understanding, and firm principles to which Syria and Iran have always adhered. We will work with you to boost the Syrian-Iranian strategic relationship and open new promising horizons for bilateral cooperation,” al-Assad said.

Pezeshkian’s election victory marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s international relations, as leaders from various countries express hopes for stronger cooperation and mutual benefits in the coming years.