Daunting task ahead for Iran’s reformist president-elect
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Daunting task ahead for Iran’s reformist president-elect

New Indian Express  

Despite apprehension of a staged presidential election in Iran with candidates picked by a small, opaque panel loyal to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reformist Masoud Pezeshkian won the runoff by an impressive margin of 2.8 crore votes. At 49.8 percent, the polling percentage, too, was 10 points higher than in the first round, indicating people’s yearning for a moderate regime. That Pezeshkian was allowed to contest in the first place—wannabe reformists were weeded out in the last presidential race in 2021—indicated Khamenei was aware of the national pulse and let it find expression as a safety valve, since the remote control was anyway in his hands. He has the support of pragmatic, seasoned politicians like former foreign minister Javad Zarif, who successfully negotiated the nuclear deal with US President Barack Obama’s regime in 2015.

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Iran’s supreme leader endorses reformist Pezeshkian as new president. He takes oath Tuesday
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran’s supreme leader endorses reformist Pezeshkian as new president. He takes oath Tuesday

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday formally endorsed Masoud Pezeshkian as president, allowing the reformist politician and heart surgeon to take charge of a country weakened by economic sanctions over its nuclear program. During an endorsement ceremony, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Pezeshkian to prioritize neighbors, African and Asian nations as well as countries that have “supported and helped” …

Eye on the Middle East | Post Pezeshkian’s win, the said and unsaid of Iran’s future foreign policy
5 months, 1 week ago

Eye on the Middle East | Post Pezeshkian’s win, the said and unsaid of Iran’s future foreign policy

Hindustan Times  

Writing for Iran’s partially state-controlled Tehran Times on July 12, Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian struck a balanced chord. While claiming that Europe failed to ensure effective banking transactions, effective protection of companies from US sanctions, and the promotion of investments in Iran, Pezeshkian stated, “Despite these missteps, I look forward to engaging with European countries…to set our relations on the …

Can Iran’s reformist President-elect deliver on his promises? | In Focus podcast
5 months, 1 week ago

Can Iran’s reformist President-elect deliver on his promises? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

Iran held early presidential elections following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. In the presidential run-off held last week, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won with 53.7% of the votes. On the economic front, he has pledged to ease hardships by working to bring Iran out of the sanctions regime, which is only possible through sustained engagement …

Reformist Pezeshkian Wins Iran's Presidential Runoff
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Reformist Pezeshkian Wins Iran's Presidential Runoff

Deccan Chronicle  

DUBAI: Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election Saturday, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic. Pezeshkian promised no radical changes to Iran’s Shiite theocracy in his campaign and long has held Supreme Leader …

Reformist Pezeshkian beats hard-liner to win Iran presidential election, promising outreach to West
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Reformist Pezeshkian beats hard-liner to win Iran presidential election, promising outreach to West

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election Saturday, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic. “I hope he will make economy better for small businesses.” Reformist candidate for the …

Reformist Pezeshkian wins Iran’s presidential runoff election over hard-liner
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Reformist Pezeshkian wins Iran’s presidential runoff election over hard-liner

LA Times  

Masoud Pezeshkian clenches his fist after voting, accompanied by former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, left, in Shahr-e-Qods, Iran. Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election Saturday, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic. …

Centrist Masoud Pezeshkian will be Iran’s next president
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Centrist Masoud Pezeshkian will be Iran’s next president

Al Jazeera  

Pezeshkian acknowledges ‘difficult path ahead’ after winning run-off election with 53.7 percent of the vote. “By gaining majority of the votes cast on Friday, Pezeshkian has become Iran’s next president,” the Ministry of Interior said in a statement. Challenges ahead Political analysts said Pezeshkian’s triumph might see the promotion of a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over the now-stalled negotiations …

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential runoff
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential runoff

NPR  

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential runoff toggle caption Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images ISTANBUL — Voters in Iran have given a decisive win to reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in the runoff election to replace late President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in May. Sponsor Message Iranian officials said about 30 million people turned out in …

Iran election 2024: Pezeshkian vs Jalili in presidential race; voting underway
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Iran election 2024: Pezeshkian vs Jalili in presidential race; voting underway

Hindustan Times  

The voting for the presidential elections in Iran is currently underway, with the citizens set to choose the successor of former president Ebrahim Raisi through the polls. Iranian citizens wait in queue to cast their votes during the second round of the Iranian presidential elections at a polling station inside the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 5, 2024. …

Iran holds presidential runoff election between a hard-liner and reformist
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Iran holds presidential runoff election between a hard-liner and reformist

LA Times  

Reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian waves as he arrives to vote at a polling station in Shahr-e-Qods near Tehran on Friday. Iran held a runoff presidential election Friday pitting a hard-line former nuclear negotiator against a reformist lawmaker, though both men earlier struggled to convince a skeptical public to cast ballots in the first round that saw the lowest turnout …

Polls close in Iran presidential run-off
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Polls close in Iran presidential run-off

Al Jazeera  

Run-off pits centrist Masoud Pezeshkian against hardliner Saeed Jalili in race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. Polls have closed in Iran’s presidential run-off which pits centrist Masoud Pezeshkian against hardliner Saeed Jalili in the race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. On Tuesday, Pezeshkian, 69, said people …

Iran Presidential Elections: Iran prepares for run-off polls as voters grow disenchanted
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran Presidential Elections: Iran prepares for run-off polls as voters grow disenchanted

The Hindu  

Over 20 years ago, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stood before a crowd at Friday prayers to denounce the U.S. for its disenchanted electorate. Iran will hold a run-off presidential election on Friday, only its second since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, after only 39.9% of its voting public cast a ballot the previous week. Meanwhile, public rage simmers after …

Who is competing to become Iran’s president in the run-off election?
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Who is competing to become Iran’s president in the run-off election?

Al Jazeera  

Two candidates are left in the race, Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian. Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian will compete in Friday’s run-off presidential election in Iran, after no candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round, held on June 28. Pezeshkian, on the other hand, is considered to be a moderate, and has gained the …

Iranian presidential candidates accuse each other of having no plan or experience ahead of runoff
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iranian presidential candidates accuse each other of having no plan or experience ahead of runoff

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s presidential candidates on Monday accused each other of having no solution for the country’s problems ahead of Friday’s runoff election aimed at choosing a successor for the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died last month in a helicopter crash. During a more than two-hour debate on public TV, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian attacked his competitor, Saeed …

Low turnout in Tehran reflects a political crisis
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Low turnout in Tehran reflects a political crisis

Hindustan Times  

Iran’s presidential election, necessitated by the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, has been marred, like most recent polls in that country, by a record low turnout that reflects growing voter apathy. Majid Asgaripour/WANA The clergy’s bid to firewall the hardline Islamic polity from any liberal incursion is undermining Iran’s political democracy, with a large segment …

Iran to hold runoff election with reformist Pezeshkian and hard-liner Jalili after low-turnout vote
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran to hold runoff election with reformist Pezeshkian and hard-liner Jalili after low-turnout vote

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran will hold a runoff presidential election pitting a little-known reformist against a hard-line former nuclear negotiator after results released Saturday showed the lowest-ever poll turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. With Jalili now alone in facing the cardiac surgeon, Pezeshkian’s campaign would need to draw voters to the July 5 runoff in an election …

Iran to hold runoff election between reformist and hard-liner after low-turnout vote
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran to hold runoff election between reformist and hard-liner after low-turnout vote

LA Times  

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian casts his ballot and waves to media in Tehran on Friday. Iran will hold a runoff presidential election pitting a little-known reformist against a hard-line former nuclear negotiator after results released Saturday showed the lowest-ever poll turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. With Jalili now alone in facing the cardiac surgeon, Pezeshkian’s campaign would need to …

Iran heads to presidential run-off on July 5 amid record low turnout
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran heads to presidential run-off on July 5 amid record low turnout

Al Jazeera  

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian could benefit if turnout is higher during the second round next Friday. Tehran, Iran – The snap presidential election in Iran is heading into a run-off next week after reformist-backed Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili emerged at the top but failed to secure a majority in a vote with a record-low turnout. Only 40 percent …

Iran will hold a runoff election between a reformist and a hard-liner
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran will hold a runoff election between a reformist and a hard-liner

NPR  

Iran will hold a runoff election between a reformist and a hard-liner toggle caption Hossein Beris/AFP Iranians will head back to the polls next week to decide between a reformist and a hard-line conservative for president. The runoff election comes after the first vote, which took place on Friday, ended with none of the candidates receiving a majority. How the …

Iran election 2024: Iran holds presidential vote with limited choices
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran election 2024: Iran holds presidential vote with limited choices

The Hindu  

Iranians will vote for a new president on June 28 following Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash, choosing from a tightly controlled group of four candidates loyal to the supreme leader, at a time of growing public frustration. While the election is unlikely to bring a major shift in the Islamic Republic's policies, the outcome could influence the succession …

Polls close in Iran’s snap presidential election
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Polls close in Iran’s snap presidential election

Al Jazeera  

Four candidates are in the race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. While the election is unlikely to bring a major shift in the Islamic Republic’s policies, its outcome could influence the succession to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s 85-year-old supreme leader, in power since 1989. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said voter …

Iran presidential election 2024: First candidate drops out of election, due to take place on June 28 amid voter apathy
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran presidential election 2024: First candidate drops out of election, due to take place on June 28 amid voter apathy

The Hindu  

A candidate in Iran's presidential election withdrew from the race late on June 26, becoming the first to back out for hard-liners to coalesce around a unity candidate in the vote to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi. After the promise nearly a decade ago of Tehran’s nuclear deal opening up Iran to the rest of the world, Iranians broadly …

Iran’s supreme leader warns sole reformist in presidential race, while calling for ‘maximum’ turnout
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Iran’s supreme leader warns sole reformist in presidential race, while calling for ‘maximum’ turnout

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader issued a thinly veiled warning Tuesday to the sole reformist candidate in the country’s upcoming presidential election, saying anyone who believes “all ways to progress” come from the United States shouldn’t be supported. Khamenei also called for “maximum” turnout for Friday’s vote, which analysts say could support Pezeshkian. “If a good turnout …

Spotlight on sanctions in Iran presidential campaign
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Spotlight on sanctions in Iran presidential campaign

The Hindu  

Iranians broadly deplore Western sanctions that have battered the economy, but the country’s six presidential candidates offer differing solutions — assuming the winner gets a say on foreign policy. Under the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died last month in a helicopter crash, Western governments have expanded sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme as well as its support for …

Iranian presidential candidates debate foreign policy ahead of Friday vote
6 months ago

Iranian presidential candidates debate foreign policy ahead of Friday vote

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s presidential candidates discussed the country’s foreign policy Monday in a three-hour live debate, promising to seek better relations with other nations and work to have sanctions on their country lifted. “We will definitely negotiate and reach an agreement” to revive a nuclear deal with world powers that President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of in …

Iran’s presidential candidates talk economic policies in 2nd live debate ahead of June 28 vote
6 months ago

Iran’s presidential candidates talk economic policies in 2nd live debate ahead of June 28 vote

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — In the second live debate on state television, six presidential candidates on Thursday discussed Iran’s economic problems ahead of the country’s June 28 election following a helicopter crash last month that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others. Like the first debate, the second one also related to economics with the candidates discussing their proposals for Iran’s …

Iran’s presidential candidates debate economic policies ahead of the June 28 vote
6 months, 1 week ago

Iran’s presidential candidates debate economic policies ahead of the June 28 vote

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Six presidential candidates on Monday discussed Iran’s economic problems in a four-hour live debate on state TV, ahead of the June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash last month that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others. Among those running for president are also Iran’s vice-president, Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, 53, and the current Tehran mayor, …

How much will a presidential election reveal about Iran’s future?
6 months, 2 weeks ago

How much will a presidential election reveal about Iran’s future?

Al Jazeera  

Who is allowed to run will be key to understanding whether the political elite want to govern the country or manage crises. The distribution of members from the various political currents accepted by the state within these institutions determines the country’s power balance. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite Iranian armed force with control over advanced weapons and large …

Iran’s hard-line president still missing after likely helicopter crash in foggy, mountainous region
7 months ago

Iran’s hard-line president still missing after likely helicopter crash in foggy, mountainous region

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. In this photo provided by Moj News Agency, rescue teams and people are seen …

Iran votes in first Parliamentary election since 2022 protests as questions over turnout loom
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran votes in first Parliamentary election since 2022 protests as questions over turnout loom

The Hindu  

Iran began voting on March 1 in its first parliamentary elections since the mass 2022 protests over its mandatory hijab laws after the death of Mahsa Amini, with questions looming over just how many people will turn out for the poll. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 84, will cast one of the first votes in an election that also …

Iran’s Raisi promises to lift sanctions, improve public trust
3 years, 4 months ago

Iran’s Raisi promises to lift sanctions, improve public trust

Al Jazeera  

Ebrahim Raisi officially endorsed as Iran’s next president by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at a ceremony in Tehran. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s incoming President Ebrahim Raisi has promised to take action to lift harsh sanctions imposed by the United States and bridge the gap with dissatisfied Iranians but said he will not tie the country’s future to the West. After …

With Raisi in the saddle, the road ahead for Iran
3 years, 6 months ago

With Raisi in the saddle, the road ahead for Iran

The Hindu  

The head of Iran’s judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi, won the presidential election in Iran on Saturday, June 19 with 61.95% of the vote. Mr. Raisi was among seven contenders — including five conservatives — allowed by Iran’s election monitoring body to run in the presidential election of June 18. Ayatollah Khamenei is 82 and there are already rumours that the best …

Iran's hard-line President-elect says he wouldn't meet Joe Biden
3 years, 6 months ago

Iran's hard-line President-elect says he wouldn't meet Joe Biden

The Hindu  

Iran's President-elect said on Monday he would not meet with President Joe Biden nor negotiate over Tehran's ballistic missile program and its support of regional militias, sticking to a hard-line position following his landslide victory in last week's election. Asked about Iran's ballistic missile program and its support of regional militias, Mr. Raisi described the issues as “non-negotiable.” Tehran's fleet …

The rise of Raisi: The Hindu Editorial on Iran’s new President
3 years, 6 months ago

The rise of Raisi: The Hindu Editorial on Iran’s new President

The Hindu  

With the election of Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric, as Iran’s President, the Islamic Republic’s ruling clergy have tightened their grip on all institutions of power — the military, Parliament, the judiciary, and the presidency. In Iran’s unique political system, effectively controlled by the Supreme Leader, Presidents, who run the day-to-day affairs, have an important role to play. Believed to …

Hardliner Raisi poised for big win in Iran presidential election
3 years, 6 months ago

Hardliner Raisi poised for big win in Iran presidential election

Al Jazeera  

Conservative judiciary head Ebrahim Raisi takes an unassailable lead in presidential election count, according to preliminary results. Iran’s hardline candidate Ebrahim Raisi, the conservative head of the judiciary, has taken an unassailable lead in the presidential election after 90 percent of the votes were counted, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from Tehran, said that …

Iran election: Ebrahim Raisi wins Iran’s presidential vote amid historically low turnout
3 years, 6 months ago

Iran election: Ebrahim Raisi wins Iran’s presidential vote amid historically low turnout

CNN  

Tehran, Iran CNN — Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline judiciary chief with a brutal human rights record, will be the next president of Iran following his win in an uncompetitive election that most of the country sat out. Many activists accused Iran’s clerical establishment of “selecting” rather than electing the next president in a poll designed to further entrench the power …

Hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi wins Iran presidency in landslide amid low turnout
3 years, 6 months ago

Hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi wins Iran presidency in landslide amid low turnout

LA Times  

Ebrahim Raisi interacts with the media after casting his vote in Tehran on Friday. Iran’s hard-line judiciary chief won a landslide victory Saturday in the country’s presidential election, a vote that propelled the supreme leader’s protege into Tehran’s highest civilian position and saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. Iran’s nemesis Israel, meanwhile, slammed the new leader, with …

Ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi wins landslide victory in Iran's presidential election
3 years, 6 months ago

Ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi wins landslide victory in Iran's presidential election

India Today  

Iran's hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi won the country's presidential election in a landslide victory Saturday, propelling the supreme leader's protege into Tehran's highest civilian position in a vote that appeared to see the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic's history. In initial results, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei won 3.3 million votes and moderate Abdolnasser Hemmati got 2.4 …

Iran election 2021: Voting underway in poll all but guaranteed to deliver hardline president
3 years, 6 months ago

Iran election 2021: Voting underway in poll all but guaranteed to deliver hardline president

CNN  

Tehran, Iran CNN — Iranians voted Friday in a controversial election that was all but guaranteed to deliver a hardline president after all the other serious contenders were barred from the race. “Each vote counts … come and vote and choose your president … this is important for the future of your country,” said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after …

Iran election race narrows but fears persist of low turnout
3 years, 6 months ago

Iran election race narrows but fears persist of low turnout

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran grappled with fears of low voter turnout two days ahead of its presidential election as the race narrowed on Wednesday into a showdown between the country’s hard-line judiciary chief and moderate former Central Bank chief. He announced that he’d select current Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to join his administration as either vice president …

Analysis: Subdued Iran vote will still impact wider Mideast
3 years, 6 months ago

Analysis: Subdued Iran vote will still impact wider Mideast

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s presidential election on Friday, though likely more a coronation for a hard-line candidate long cultivated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, still carries implications for a wider Middle East already roiled by years of tensions between Tehran and the West. In 2019, the U.S. Treasury under President Donald Trump sanctioned Raisi “for his administrative …

Final presidential debate shows Iran’s political fissures
3 years, 6 months ago

Final presidential debate shows Iran’s political fissures

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran held a final presidential debate Saturday that showed the fissures within the Islamic Republic’s politics, as hard-liners referred to those seeking ties to the West as “infiltrators” and the race’s two other candidates brought up the unrest that surrounded Tehran’s disputed 2009 election. Hard-line former Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei described the Rouhani government as being …

The hardline cleric being groomed to become president – and the Supreme Leader of Iran
3 years, 6 months ago

The hardline cleric being groomed to become president – and the Supreme Leader of Iran

The Telegraph  

When Iran announced the candidates approved this week to contest upcoming presidential elections, Iranians online responded with a flurry of jokes all sharing the same punchline: the vote is a foregone conclusion. In one widely shared meme, Ebrahim Raisi – the conservative insider tipped to win the June 18 vote – sits on a panel, alongside three other versions of …

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