Reformer Peseshkian wins presidential election in Iran and seeks trust
The difficult path that lies before us will only be worth enduring through your companionship, your empathy, and trust," wrote the 69-year-old winner in online service X. "I extend my hand to you."
According to the electoral commission, the turnout in the runoff election was 49.8%. Before the voting on Friday, the spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had called on the approximately 61 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. Previously, the turnout in the first round had been historically low at 40%. Khamenei did not interpret this contrary to the views of observers as an "act against the system."
In the first round of the election, Peseschkian was the only moderate conservative among the four candidates who had previously been approved by the ultra-conservative Guardian Council. With Peseschkian's victory, reformers can once again hope for political course corrections for the first time in years. However, the actual political power in Iran lies with the spiritual leader, and thus with Khamenei.
Peseschkian, who has been in the parliament since 2008 and served as health minister under the moderate President Mohammed Khatami, spoke out in favor of "constructive relations" with the West and for the revival of the nuclear deal with Western countries, which the USA unilaterally abandoned in 2018.
The Iranian economy is suffering from international sanctions. Unrest in the country is widespread. In addition, there are regional tensions such as the conflict in Gaza.
Peseschkian also spoke out in favor of easing internet restrictions in the country. He also declared that he was against police controls for the headscarf requirement for women and spoke out against the use of violence during controls. Previously, he had criticized the behavior of the authorities during the nationwide mass protests that broke out in September 2022 after the death of the young Kurd Mahsa Amini in custody due to alleged violations of strict Muslim dress codes.
Despite Peseschkian's election, the United States have little hope for improved relations, as Foreign Ministry spokesman Vedant Patel stated. Washington does not expect a "fundamental change" in Iranian politics or for the "Iranian regime to respect the human rights and dignity of its citizens more."
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Peseschkian on his victory. "I hope that your stance as president will contribute to the strengthening of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples," Putin reportedly told Peseschkian according to Kremlin statements. Both countries could coordinate their "efforts to find constructive solutions to international issues," Putin added.
Congratulations came even from Saudi Arabia. "We sincerely congratulate you and wish you great success and all the best, in the hope of further building relationships between our two countries and our two fraternal peoples", wrote King Salman according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in his message to Peseschkian. Iran has been striving for some time to improve relations with the Arab states in the region after decades of tensions.
The presidential election in Iran was originally planned for 2025. However, it was brought forward after the death of incumbent Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19th.
- The spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged the eligible voters to cast their ballots before the runoff election.
- Reformer Said Jalili, who ran in the presidential election, has previously served under the moderate President Mohammed Khatami.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the spiritual leader, holds the actual political power in Iran.
- Peseschkian, the winner of the runoff election, advocates for constructive relations with the West and the revival of the nuclear deal.
- The USA views Peseschkian's election with little hope for improved relations due to their expectation of no fundamental change in Iranian politics.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Peseschkian, expressing hope that his stance as president will contribute to bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran.
- The Saudi Arabian King Salman also congratulated Peseschkian, expressing hope for improved relations between the two countries.
