Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has been elected as Iran’s next president, defeating the hardliner Saeed Jalili by nearly three million votes in Friday’s run-off election, according to official results.
Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon and seasoned parliamentarian, received 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili’s 13.5 million, with the Interior Ministry reporting a turnout of 30 million voters.
In his victory speech, Pezeshkian vowed to engage with Western countries and ease the enforcement of Iran’s mandatory headscarf law, responding to years of international sanctions and domestic protests. He emphasized unity and progress, stating, “We will extend the hand of friendship to everyone; we are all people of this country; we should use everyone for the progress of the country.”
Pezeshkian has a long political career, having been elected to parliament five times since 2008 and serving as deputy speaker from 2016 to 2020. He also held the position of Minister of Health from 2001 to 2005 during Mohammad Khatami’s presidency.
The president-elect’s term begins at a critical juncture for Iran, amid rising Middle East tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, advancements in Tehran’s nuclear program, and an upcoming US election that could affect Iran-US relations.
Although Iran’s president cannot independently alter major policies regarding the nuclear program or regional militia support, as these decisions lie with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian’s presidency could influence the tone of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy.
Pezeshkian has pledged not to challenge Khamenei’s directives and has committed to stepping down from politics if he cannot deliver on his campaign promises. “There is no point in wasting our life and not being able to serve our dear people,” he said in a message to voters.
This election followed the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May and saw the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Over 61 million Iranians were eligible to vote, including about 18 million aged 18 to 30. Voting hours were extended until midnight to encourage higher participation.
