Election Upset in Iran: Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Presidential Runoff

In a surprising turn of events in Iran, the reformist candidate, Masoud Pezeshkian, emerged victorious in the presidential runoff election, upsetting his hard-line rival, according to the Ministry of Interior’s announcement on Saturday morning.

Key Points:

• Masoud Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old cardiac surgeon, secured 16.3 million votes to defeat the hard-line candidate Saeed Jalili, who received 13.5 million votes.
• The victory marked a significant win for the reformist faction, which had been marginalized in recent years.
• Turnout for the election reached 50 percent, with approximately 30.5 million ballots cast, a notable increase from the first round.
• The first round had seen a historic low turnout due to widespread boycotts as a form of protest.
• The prospect of a hard-line administration prompted more Iranians to participate in the election, fearing stricter social rules and continued defiance in negotiations to lift sanctions.

“The end of the rule of minority over majority. Congratulations for the victory of wisdom over ignorance,” expressed Ali Akbar Behmanesh, a reformist politician and campaign leader for Pezeshkian in the province of Mazandaran.

Pezeshkian’s supporters celebrated in the early hours of Saturday, with joyful scenes captured on social media as they honked horns, danced, and cheered outside campaign offices across various cities, including Tabriz, his hometown.

On social media, supporters praised Iranian voters for their turnout, attributing it to “saving Iran,” a central theme of Pezeshkian’s campaign.