Iranians headed to the polls Friday in a presidential runoff election between a hard-liner and a reformist lawmaker, with both candidates seeking to overcome low turnout and public skepticism after years of economic woes and protests.
In the midst of heightened tensions in the Middle East, Iranians cast their votes in a presidential runoff election on Friday, torn between a hard-line former nuclear negotiator and a reformist lawmaker. The election has been marred by low turnout and widespread skepticism as the country grapples with economic challenges and the legacy of recent unrest.
The race between Saeed Jalili, a hard-line former nuclear negotiator, and Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime parliament member, follows a first round of voting that saw the lowest turnout ever for an Iranian election. The outcome of the runoff remains uncertain, with turnout a major factor in determining the result.
Iranians Vote in Presidential Runoff Amid Low Turnout, Skepticism
Jalili, a staunch critic of the West, has vowed to confront Israel and bolster Iran's nuclear program. Pezeshkian, on the other hand, has promised to improve economic conditions and engage in diplomacy with the international community.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ultimate decision-maker on matters of state, played a significant role in the selection of candidates for the election. Despite his endorsement of Pezeshkian in the first round, Jalili has since emerged as the favorite of Khamenei's conservative allies.
Iranians Vote in Presidential Runoff Amid Low Turnout, Skepticism
The election takes place against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Iran has been accused of providing support to Hamas and other militant groups in the region.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to enrich uranium at near weapons-grade levels, raising concerns about the potential for nuclear proliferation. The election could have implications for Iran's foreign policy, with the winner potentially shifting the country's stance towards confrontation or cooperation with the West.
Heavy security was deployed on the streets of Tehran on Friday, as crowds appeared light at polling places. State television broadcast scenes of modest lines at polling centers around the country, but many Iranians expressed skepticism about the election's legitimacy.
Reformist candidate Pezeshkian, who won the most votes in the first round, appealed to voters who desire change and a departure from the hard-line policies of the past. Jalili, on the other hand, has emphasized his commitment to the principles of the Islamic Revolution and has promised to uphold the legacy of the late President Ebrahim Raisi.
The outcome of the runoff election will have important implications for the future of Iran, both domestically and internationally. If Jalili wins, he is likely to pursue a more confrontational and isolationist foreign policy, while Pezeshkian may seek to improve relations with the West and address the economic challenges facing the country.
