Iran’s hard-line presidential candidate Saeed Jalili, a former top nuclear negotiator, is on the verge of winning the election against a reformist opponent. Known for his opaque and inflexible negotiating style, Jalili could freeze stalled nuclear negotiations if elected, potentially angering a public still reeling from recent unrest.
Jalili, dubbed the “Living Martyr” for losing his leg in combat, has a history of opposing the 2015 nuclear deal that lifted sanctions on Iran. His hard-line vision, compared to the Taliban, raises concerns about human rights, particularly on the issue of mandatory headscarves for women. Critics fear a crackdown on dissent if he wins.
Jalili’s negotiations in the past were described as a “disaster” and his one-dimensional rhetoric earned him harsh criticism from EU diplomats. Despite his previous failures, Jalili remains a prominent figure in Iranian politics, challenging the more moderate reforms of recent years.
His potential election could signal a return to Iran’s hard-line stance on nuclear issues, risking further international tensions and domestic repression. In this polarizing political climate, the outcome of the election holds significant implications for Iran’s future.