The 14th presidential election in Iran saw Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, casting his ballot as the polls opened. The election featured two candidates across numerous polling stations, both in the country and abroad. The heightened regional tensions and internal discontent over economic issues added to the significance of this election.
In the first round, reformist Pezeshkian led with 42%, followed by Jalili with 39%. The low turnout in the initial round prompted Khamenei to call for increased participation in the runoff.
Electoral Dynamics
The runoff candidates, Pezeshkian and Jalili, engaged in debates covering economic reforms, international relations, and voter engagement. Pezeshkian enjoys the backing of key reformist figures, while Jalili appeals to hardline supporters.
Regardless of the outcome, the next president will implement state policies under Khamenei’s supervision. The race deeply impacts Iran’s future direction concerning regional conflicts, nuclear policies, and global relations.
Written by AFP