Meet Masoud Pezeshkian, a Reformist who wins Iran's presidential election

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian is an Iranian politician and surgeon who has secured a win in the presidential elections in Iran, according to international media reports. According to the sources, Pezeshkian received over 16.3 million votes, out of 30.5 million votes counted in Friday's runoff, while his ultraconservative rival Saeed Jalili got more than 13.5 million votes.

The voter turnout during Iran’s Presidential elections was recorded at 49.8%, as per election headquarters under the auspices of the interior ministry. Pezeshkian will become the president of the country that is dealing with rising international isolation, international discontent and direct conflict with Israel.

After winning the presidential elections, Pezeshkian through his X handle asked people for their support, “Dear people of Iran, the elections are over and this is just the beginning of our cooperation. The difficult path ahead will not be smooth except with your companionship, empathy and trust. I extend my hand to you and I swear on my honor that I will not leave you alone on this path. Don't leave us alone.”

مردم عزیز ایران انتخابات تمام شد و این تازه آغاز همراهی ماست. مسیر دشوار پیش رو جز با همراهی، همدلی و اعتماد شما هموار نخواهد شد دستم را به سوی شما دراز می‌کنم و به شرافتم سوگند میخورم که در این راه تنهایتان نخواهم گذاشت. تنهایم نگذارید.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) July 6, 2024

Elections in Iran

The snap elections in Iran were called after President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials perished in a helicopter crash in May in Iran's rural northwest, recently.

After numerous other reformist candidates were disqualified from running, Pezeshkian was the only one left to compete for Iran's top elected position. He supports negotiations with Iran's adversaries, particularly on its nuclear program, and views this as a way to resolve internal Iranian difficulties.

All about Masoud Pezeshkian

Masoud Pezeshkian is notable for his work both in the field of medicine and in Iranian politics. He devoted much of his time to politics after he lost his wife and one of his children in a car crash in 1994. He also contested president polls in 2013 and 2021 also but was unable to make headway. 

Key points about Masoud Pezeshkian

Political Career: Pezeshkian has held various significant political positions in Iran. He has served as a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (the Iranian Parliament) and has been a prominent figure in Iranian legislative affairs.

Minister of Health: He served as the Minister of Health and Medical Education under President Mohammad Khatami from 2001 to 2005. During his tenure, he worked on various health and medical education reforms.

Medical Background: Before entering politics, Pezeshkian had a successful career as a cardiovascular surgeon. His medical expertise has been influential in his political work, especially in areas related to health policy.

Reformist Politician: He is often associated with the reformist camp in Iranian politics, advocating for social and political reforms within the framework of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, the experts believe that Pezeshkian may bring some social changes that he highlighted during his election campaign. However, it is also said that such moves are far from guarantees.