Iranians vote in second round of presidential election pitting reformist against ultraconservative

The election, hastily organized to replace ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19, is taking place in a context of popular discontent, particularly over the state of the economy, which has been hit by international sanctions.

Iranians will vote on Friday, July 5, in the second round of the presidential election, which pits reformist MP Masoud Pezeshkian against a former nuclear negotiator, the ultraconservative Said Jalili.

The election is being closely watched abroad as Iran, a Middle Eastern heavyweight, is at the heart of several geopolitical crises, from the war in Gaza to the nuclear issue, in which the country is at odds with Western countries, particularly the United States, its sworn enemy.

Some 61 million Iranians have been called to the polls in the country’s 58,638 polling stations since 8 a.m. Voting operations have been extended until 8 p.m. The results are expected on Saturday.

Masoud Pezeshkian, who came in first in the first round with 42.4% of the vote, advocates for an Iran that is more open to the West. Said Jalili, who obtained 38.6% of the vote, is known for his inflexible positions towards Western powers.

Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, has the support of former presidents, the reformist Mohammad Khatami and the moderate Hassan Rohani. His rival, 58, has the support of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the conservative speaker of parliament, who came third with 13.8% of the vote in the first round.

The election, hastily organized to replace ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19, is taking place in a context of popular discontent, particularly over the state of the economy, which has been hit by international sanctions.