- author, Kasra Naji
- stock, Special Correspondent, BBC Persian
Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian has been elected as Iran's new president, defeating his fiercely conservative rival, Said Jalili.
The vote was announced in favor of Beseshkian 53.3% More than 30 million votes were counted. Yalili got 44.3%.
The second round took place after no candidate secured a majority in the first round of elections on June 28, which saw a record turnout. Historically low 40%.
The election was held to succeed Iran's previous president. Ibrahim RaisiHe died in a helicopter crash in May that killed seven people.
Videos posted on social media showed street celebrations for Bezheshkian in Tehran and several cities across the country.
In the videos, mostly young people danced and waved their campaign's signature green flag, while cars honked their horns.
Pezeshkian, a former heart surgeon, He caused a stir after criticizing Iran's notorious morality police and pledging “unity and unity”.And Iran's “isolation” from the world ended.
He called for “constructive negotiations” with Western powers on renewing the 2015 nuclear deal, in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for relief from Western sanctions.
His rival, Said Jalili, was supportive Current status. The former nuclear negotiator enjoys strong support among most of Iran's religious communities.
Jollyles is his name Strong anti-Western stance He says his opposition to restoring the nuclear deal crosses Iran's “red lines.”
Initial reports suggest that more people went to vote this Friday compared to last week's first round. Voter turnout was the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution Amid widespread discontent.
Some who did not vote in the first round were persuaded to vote for Beseshkian this time Prevents Yalili from becoming president.
They feared that with Jalili's victory, Iran would move towards a More conflict with the outside world And he will bring nothing but more obstacles and isolation.
In order to present themselves, both candidates must pass a directed research process Guardian CouncilA body of 12 clerics and jurists who wield considerable power in Iran.
In the process, 74 candidates, including many women, were disqualified.
The Guardian Council has previously been criticized by human rights groups for disqualifying candidates who lack sufficient loyalty to the regime.
Years of civil unrest, culminating in anti-government protests that rocked the country in 2022 and 2023, have left many young and middle-class Iranians deeply distrustful. Installation and previously refused to vote.
In Iranian social networks, the Hashtag A Persian “traitor minority” went viral, urging people not to vote for any of the candidates. He called whoever did it a “traitor”.
But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected suggestions that the low turnout represented a rejection of his government.
“There are reasons [detrás de la baja participación] And politicians and sociologists will study them, but if anyone thinks non-voters are against it InstallationAbsolutely wrong,” he said.
In an unusual statement, Khamenei acknowledged that some Iranians do not accept the current situation.
“We listen to them, we know what they're saying, it's not that they're hidden and unseen,” Ayodatta said.
In Iran, local media encouraged people to vote.
A reformist newspaper Sasandegi He said: “The future is tied to your votes.” Newspaper Hammihan He said: “Now it's your turn.”
Newspaper HamshahriThe Tehran Municipality-run newspaper published an article titled “100 Reasons to Vote”, while the state broadcaster Jam-e Jam newspaper said Iran was “waiting for the people”.
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