Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, has won Iran's presidential runoff election, defeating hard-liner Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian secured 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili's 13.5 million, according to official figures released early Saturday.
The new president-elect has promised to ease enforcement of Iran's mandatory headscarf law and reach out to the West, while maintaining support for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian stated he would "try to have friendly relations with all countries except Israel."
Voter turnout was reported at 49.6%, a historically low figure for an Iranian presidential election. The Interior Ministry said 30 million people voted, with 607,575 ballots deemed void.
Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime lawmaker, faces challenges in implementing his agenda. Iran's government remains largely controlled by hard-liners, and the country continues to grapple with economic sanctions and regional tensions.
The president-elect's victory comes at a crucial time for Iran. The country is dealing with its advancing nuclear program, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and the possibility of shifts in U.S. policy depending on the outcome of the upcoming American election.
Pezeshkian, who speaks Azeri, Farsi, and Kurdish, campaigned on outreach to Iran's diverse ethnic groups. He is the first Iranian president from western Iran in decades, a fact that some hope will promote greater tolerance given the region's ethnic and religious diversity.
While Pezeshkian identifies with reformists, he has shown support for Iran's Revolutionary Guard and criticized U.S. policies. His presidency is expected to maintain Iran's current stance on major international issues, including its nuclear program and relations with Israel.
The election results signal a desire for change among Iranian voters, but the extent of reforms possible under Iran's theocratic system remains to be seen. Pezeshkian will need to navigate carefully between reformist aspirations and the conservative establishment as he takes office.
* The Times of Israel contributed to this article.
