Iran Election Runoff Scheduled for July 5

Iran's presidential election has resulted in a run-off between moderate Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili, scheduled for July 5, after neither candidate secured the required majority. Pezeshkian led with 42.5% of the vote while Jalili followed closely with 38.6%. The election saw historically low turnout at around 40%, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction. The snap election was triggered by the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month. Critics argue the low participation rate indicates a lack of confidence in the political system and electoral choices. While Pezeshkian advocates for reform and engagement with the West, Jalili maintains a staunch anti-Western stance, but both face the overarching control of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.