Iran’s Presidential Campaign and the Shadow of Donald Trump

Amidst the fervor of Iran’s presidential campaign, one prominent figure looms large: Donald J. Trump. The six candidates vying for office have consistently portrayed Trump’s potential victory in the 2024 White House race as an inevitable outcome. The pivotal question on Iranian voters’ minds as they head to the polls on Friday is who possesses the most effective strategy to engage with the former U.S. president.

Surprisingly, the candidates seldom refer to President Biden and completely disregard the numerous polls indicating a closely contested American election. Instead, Trump’s name is repeatedly invoked throughout their debates and speeches.

During a recent televised debate, candidate Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a cleric, emphasized, “Wait and you will see what will happen when Trump comes. We have to prepare for negotiations.” Another contender, Alireza Zakani, Tehran’s mayor, accused his opponents of having “Trump-phobia” and asserted that he alone could effectively manage interactions with the former president.

In a campaign poster featuring Mr. Pourmohammadi, he and Trump are depicted locking eyes, with a caption stating, “The person who can stand in front of Trump is me.”

The Iranian populace harbors legitimate concerns about the prospect of another Trump administration. It was Trump who unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal with Iran, despite repeated confirmations by U.N. nuclear inspectors regarding Iran’s compliance with the agreement. President Biden’s attempts to revive the deal following his inauguration have not yet borne fruit.