Iran’s upcoming presidential run-off election on July 5 has been triggered as no candidate was able to secure the required 50% of votes in the initial round, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday. The election saw low-key moderate Massoud Pezeshkian and hardline rival Saeed Jalili as the leading contenders, with a voter turnout of about 40%, the lowest since the 1979 revolution.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had urged for a high turnout, emphasizing the importance of civic participation. Following the tragic death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, the mantle to lead the country now passes on to either the sole moderate or the hardline protege of the supreme leader.
While the ultimate power resides with Ayatollah Khamenei, the elected president plays a crucial role in shaping the day-to-day governance and influencing policy decisions. The run-off election will determine the successor and the direction of Iran’s domestic and foreign policies.