Reformist Pezeshkian Wins Iran Election Amid Crisis

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election against hard-liner Saeed Jalili, promising to ease enforcement of the mandatory headscarf law and improve relations with the West. The election saw the lowest turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic, reflecting widespread disillusionment with the political system. Despite Pezeshkian's victory, he faces significant challenges from a hard-liner-controlled government, ongoing regional tensions, and Iran's advancing nuclear program. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains the ultimate authority, and voter apathy signals a crisis of legitimacy for the regime. The election's outcome will have implications for Iran's domestic policies and its stance on international issues, including the potential revival of the nuclear deal.