Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has been elected as Iran’s new president, defeating hardline conservative Saeed Jalili in the snap election that followed the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. Mr. Pezeshkian secured 16.3 million out of 30 million votes cast, promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement of the country’s mandatory headscarf law. His victory has been celebrated by supporters across Iran, with hopes of economic revival and pragmatic foreign policy under his leadership, though the Supreme Leader still has final say on state matters. Mr. Pezeshkian has a history of supporting the rights of ethnic minorities and criticizing the suppression of dissent by the clerical establishment. However, he may face resistance from hardliners in the government, and the election takes place amidst heightened tensions in the region, with Iranian-backed militia groups engaging in conflicts. The new president will have to navigate these challenges while trying to align with world leaders and address internal issues in Iran.
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