Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Iran's Presidential Election

Masoud Pezeshkian has won the Iranian presidential runoff election against hardline rival Saeed Jalili, with a reported lead of over three million votes in the initial count. According to authorities, Pezeshkian received 16.3 million votes, while Jalili garnered 13.5 million. The election was marked by historically low turnout, with around 30 million voters participating, and over 600,000 spoiled ballots. Pezeshkian's campaign focused on limited social reforms and engagement with the United States over Iran's nuclear program. He promised no radical changes to Iran's Shia theocracy during his campaign. In contrast, Jalili was an ultraconservative candidate who opposed any significant changes to the country's political system.