Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon turned politician, emerged victorious in Iran’s presidential runoff election on Saturday, defeating hard-liner Saeed Jalili by approximately 3 million votes. Running as a moderate, Pezeshkian, 69, promised to improve relations with the West and implement modest reforms within the Islamic Republic’s hardline policies.
Pezeshkian’s win offers a potential shift in Iran’s domestic and foreign policies, though he emphasized that he would not pursue sweeping changes to the country’s Shiite theocracy, which remains under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, he pledged to provide some relief to citizens tired of protests and strikes against the hardliners’ strict rule. This includes easing the enforcement of the mandatory headscarf law, a point of contention for many Iranians.
In his campaign, Pezeshkian focused on being a voice for all Iranians, including those who felt marginalized by the hardline administration. “I am your voice, even the voice of the 60 percent whose voice is never heard and did not show up at the polls,” he stated in a recent campaign video.
Pezeshkian’s election comes in the wake of the tragic death of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash. This election marks a significant moment for Iran, as Pezeshkian’s moderate stance and promises of engagement with the West could signal a new direction for the country’s future.
As Pezeshkian prepares to take office, the international community will be watching closely to see how his promises translate into action and whether his leadership can bring about the hoped-for changes both domestically and in Iran’s foreign relations.
