The low-profile moderate Masoud Pezeshkian, who has pledged to open Iran to the world and deliver freedoms its people have yearned for, is expected to win the run-off presidential vote on Friday, an Iranian source told Reuters.
"The vote counting has ended and the rival candidates have been informed about the result. Pezeshkian is around three million votes ahead of his hardline rival Saeed Jalili," said the source, who asked not to be named.
Earlier, the interior ministry said that Pezeshkian was leading the race in early results, adding that the initial reports showed turnout was around 50%, higher than the first round.
The run-off follows a June 28 ballot with historically low turnout, when over 60% of Iranian voters abstained from the snap election for a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash.
The vote is a tight race between low-key lawmaker Pezeshkian, the sole moderate in the original field of four candidates, and hardline former nuclear negotiator Jalili, a staunch advocate of deepening ties with Russia and China.
Videos on social media showed supporters of Pezeshkian dancing in streets in several cities and motorists honking car horns to cheer his victory.
People in the northwestern city of Urmia, Pezeshkian's hometown, were handing sweets out on the streets.
While the election is expected to have little impact on the Islamic Republic's policies, the president will be closely involved in selecting the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader who calls all the shots on top matters of state.
Voter turnout has plunged over the past four years, which critics say underlines that support for clerical rule has eroded at a time of growing public discontent over economic hardship and curbs on political and social freedoms.
Only 48% of voters participated in the 2021 election that brought Raisi to power, and turnout was 41% in a parliamentary election in March.
The election coincides with escalating Middle East tensions due to the war between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as increased Western pressure on Iran over its fast-advancing uranium enrichment programme.
"Voting gives power ... even if there are criticisms, people should vote as each vote is like a missile launch (against enemies)," Iran's Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Commander Amirali Hajizadeh told state media.
The next president is not expected to produce any major policy shift on the nuclear programme or change in support for militia groups across the Middle East, but he runs the government day-to-day and can influence the tone of Iran's foreign and domestic policy.
FAITHFUL RIVALS
Election rivals Jalili and Pezeshkian are establishment men loyal to Iran's theocracy. But analysts said a win by the anti-Western Jalili would signal a potentially an even more authoritarian domestic policy and antagonistic foreign policy.
A triumph by Pezeshkian might promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over now-stalled negotiations with major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, and improve prospects for social liberalisation and political pluralism.
However, many voters are sceptical about Pezeshkian's ability to fulfil his campaign promises as the former health minister has publicly stated that he had no intention of confronting Iran's power elite of clerics and security hawks.
"I did not vote last week but today I voted for Pezeshkian. I know Pezeshkian will be a lameduck president but still he is better than a hardliner," said Afarin, 37, owner of a beauty salon in the central city of Isfahan.
Many Iranians have painful memories of the handling of nationwide unrest sparked by the death in custody of young Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in 2022, which was quelled by a violent state crackdown involving mass detentions and even executions.
"I will not vote. This is a big NO to the Islamic Republic because of Mahsa (Amini). I want a free country, I want a free life," said university student Sepideh, 19, in Tehran.
The hashtag #ElectionCircus has been widely posted on social media platform X since last week, with some activists at home and abroad calling for an election boycott, arguing that a high turnout would legitimise the Islamic Republic.
Both candidates have vowed to revive the flagging economy, which has been beset by mismanagement, state corruption and sanctions reimposed since 2018 after the United States under then-President Donald Trump ditched the nuclear deal.
"I will vote for Jalili. He believes in Islamic values. He has promised to end our economic hardships," retired employee Mahmoud Hamidzadegan, 64, said in the northern city of Sari.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.
26 Comments
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2020hindsights
Doesn't matter if he's moderate, he has no power. Iran is a theocracy.
TokyoLiving
GO IRAN..
GO BRICS..
TokyoLiving
And this is the golden dream of conservatives in US, turn US in a madieval teocracy..
TaiwanIsNotChina
Nice. Let's hope he can tell the mullahs where they can put their judgements.
garymalmgren
Every candidate was vetted.
Any real moderate has been eliminated.
If Pezeshkian was permitted to run, he is NOT a moderate, but a candidate that has been set up as a stooge for the Mullahs.
We won't get fooled again, No! No!
Well. maybe.
commanteer
Yes, all those conservative families you see are just dying to swap their MAGA hats for turbans. You must quiver in terror every time you venture outside your urban bubble and see real people.
GuruMick
Someday, sometime, someone who has actually been to Iran will comment on this forum.
Until then, its the same old prejudice and anti Iran rubbish.
I suppose Italy is a "theocracy " 'cause , you know, the Pope and all that .
Coulda been
He will do what the mullahs tell him to do.
2020hindsights
GuruMick
The Pope doesn't even live in Italy, so I don't know where you got that from.
TaiwanIsNotChina
We have MAGAs trying to put the ten commandments and bibles in public schools. It's equally as ridiculous and dangerous.
TaiwanIsNotChina
As an American, can I go there without being abducted, or only if I don't take the wrong photo with my phone?
Ramsey's Kitchen
So much for the ' Iran has no free elections, hardliners will crush anyone opposing them". Congrats to the new moderate president of Iran.
Ramsey's Kitchen
As an American, can I go there without being abducted, or only if I don't take the wrong photo with my phone?
Why don't you go and then tell us? Traveling to other countries is known to open up horizons.
2020hindsights
Ramsey's Kitchen
How do you vote for the Supreme Leader of Iran?
You can't.
The Supreme Leader of Iran holds all the power.
Iran has no free elections.
hooktrunk2
@Ramsey's Kitchen
The Guardian Council approved only six out of more than 80 who registered to run. Even Amajinadad, the former president was disqualified.
Jimizo
The Pope lives in a separate state - Vatican City. I suppose you could call that a theocracy. The Pope has no direct influence on important policy decisions in Italy as far as I’m aware - a good thing.
On the other hand, crackpot Ayatollahs in Iran basically run the show.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I'm not going anywhere I can be abducted by scummy governments.
GuruMick
6 million tourists visited Iran in 2023, so Taiwan you could go.
But, if fear of the experience holds you back, dont go.
And the Pope resides in the Vatican...in Italy.
My God, the mighty USA is a timid little mouse isnt it.
Travel warnings say "dont go ".
Aussie travel warnings about visiting the US often are "travel with caution "
How about we give the new guy some breathing space and see how he performs.
AND there is a lot of "Youtubers "travelling in Iran, showing lots of women who may or may not wear scarves and a vibrant night life and culture.
I dont think you'd like it Taiwan.
EvilBuddha
Someday, sometime, someone who has actually been to Iran will comment on this forum.
Been to Iran on a 'history' tour since Iran has had ties with my country going back over a millennium.
Obviously my experience will be different than that of someone from the West, but Iranians are some of the warmest people I have encountered. Some shopkeepers and cab drivers refused to take money from me when they realized where I am from.
Obviously Iran is not the place to visit if your aim is to party and have a whale of a time, but it's not as bad as Western media makes it out to be.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Like all terrorists, Iran targets the US specifically.
2020hindsights
GuruMick
Vatican City is its own state. It is not part of the state of Italy, which you were implying.
Ramsey's Kitchen
AND there is a lot of "Youtubers "travelling in Iran, showing lots of women who may or may not wear scarves and a vibrant night life and culture.I dont think you'd like it Taiwan.
He wouldn't , because it would destroy the stereotypes. Same as travelling in China or Russia. Oh, but they are all so evil.
TaiwanIsNotChina
You stop the abductions of Americans and you might have a case that these are respectable countries.
Ramsey's Kitchen
You stop the abductions of Americans and you might have a case that these are respectable countries.
How many innocent Americans were abducted in China and Russia in the last decade?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Reed, Whelan and Gershkovich for Russia.
Lin, Li, and Swiden for China.
One is too many.
Jimizo
I spent quite a bit of time in China. Met and worked with some lovely people.
I have zero time for China’s leadership.
I’m sure most Iranian people are lovely.
What’s your opinion of the CCP and the Ayatollahs?
If you are okay with theocrats and autocrats don’t be shy to tell us.
The discussion here is about the leadership of Iran, not the general public.