Iran’s New President Masoud Pezeshkian: Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidential election in Iran on Saturday (July 6). He defeated hardliner Saeed Jalili by a huge margin. Pezeshkian has also been the former health minister of the country. His image is that of a leader who believes in reforms. He is also a leader who believes in improving relations with Western countries. Presidential elections were held in Iran after the death of Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
Masoud Pezeshkian had promised during the election that he would improve relations with Western countries. He would also relax the law of compulsory wearing of headscarf in the country. There have been many protests in Iran regarding hijab and headscarf. Pezeshkian did not promise any change in Shia theocracy during his election campaign. He believed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been the Supreme Leader of Iran for a long time, would be considered the final arbiter in all matters of the country.
Masoud Pezeshkian won the election by 28 lakh votes
According to news agency AP, after the counting of votes done by Iran’s election officials, Pezeshkian has received 1.63 crore votes, while his closest rival and radical leader Saeed Jalili has received 1.35 crore votes. Pezeshkian has defeated Jalili by a margin of 28 lakh votes. Pezeshkian has been a former health minister and is also a heart surgeon by profession. He is counted among those leaders of the country who have been present in the political corridors for a long time.