Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Iranian Presidential Runoff

Iran has elected Masoud Pezeshkian as its new president, marking an unexpected victory for the reformist camp amid widespread social discontent, economic struggles, and regional conflicts.

Pezeshkian secured 16.3 million votes, as reported by local authorities, with a voter turnout of 49.8%. His opponent, Saeed Jalili, a hard-line former nuclear negotiator, garnered 13.5 million votes.

At 69, Pezeshkian overcame multiple conservative candidates, despite being considered a “token reformist” with limited recognition. He previously served as the minister of health under reformist president Mohammad Khatami and has been a parliamentary member since 2008.

Pezeshkian aims to relax social restrictions, such as the strict hijab law, and improve relations with Western nations, potentially reviving nuclear talks. However, he inherits a country facing economic hardships, harsh repression, high inflation, and severe Western sanctions, alongside growing tensions with the U.S. over nuclear enrichment and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, noted that while Pezeshkian’s election could influence Iran’s domestic and foreign policy tactics, significant changes in the country’s core strategies are unlikely due to the overarching influence of the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard.