Tehran, Iran – The snap presidential election in Iran is heading into a run-off next week after reformist-backed Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili emerged as the top contenders but failed to secure a majority in a vote with a record-low turnout.
Only 40 percent of more than 61 million eligible Iranians voted, marking a new low in presidential elections since the country’s 1979 revolution. The moderate Pezeshkian received over 10.4 million votes, trailed by former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili with 9.5 million votes.
This historic election will see a run-off between the two leading candidates, with conservative Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and others calling on their supporters to vote for Jalili in order to secure victory in the final round on Friday.
Despite concerns of voter apathy and disillusionment, both Pezeshkian and Jalili have promised different paths for Iran’s future, with Pezeshkian focusing on lifting sanctions and bridging gaps, while Jalili aims to bring down inflation and boost economic growth.
With tensions rising and stakes high, the run-off on July 5 will determine the next president of Iran with implications for the country’s future relations with the West and its allies.