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Iran’s run-off presidential vote saw cautious reformer Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, defeat ultraconservative ideologue Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian’s victory represents a blow to conservative factions in Iran, but is not expected to have an immediate impact on policies as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei controls state matters. The new president will influence the overall tone of domestic and foreign policy, and be involved in selecting Khamenei’s successor.

The election took place amid growing public discontent over economic hardship and restrictions on freedoms, with tensions escalating due to conflicts in the Middle East and Western pressure on Iran’s nuclear program. Pezeshkian, a member of Iran’s Azeri minority, has advocated for minority rights, criticized heavy-handed policing of women, and called for dialogue with the West to address the nuclear deal.

Expert Ali Vaez noted the challenges in renewing diplomatic engagement with Iran, especially with the complexity of Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions. He highlighted the significance of the U.S. elections in determining the prospects for diplomatic efforts, noting the difficulty in restoring the 2015 nuclear accord. Vaez suggested that electing Pezeshkian may have averted a crisis, compared to the potential outcomes under Jalili and former President Trump.

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