Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has won Iran’s presidential election, defeating his hardline rival, Saeed Jalili in the runoff vote.

According to an official count, Pezeshkian secured 53.7 percent of the runoff votes and Jalili received 44.3 percent.

“By gaining majority of the votes cast on Friday, Pezeshkian has become Iran’s next President,” the Interior Ministry said.

Iran’s Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi congratulated the President-elect, confirming that there were no major election violations and security incidents.

Jalili accepted Pezeshkian’s victory, saying that anybody who is elected by the people must be respected.

“Not only should he be respected, but now we must use all our strength and help him move forward with strength,” he told state television.

Following victory, Pezeshkian appealed for unity and support from fellow Iranians in a statement posted to X.

“Dear people of Iran, the elections are over and this is just the beginning of our support/work. The difficult path ahead of us will not be paved except with your support, empathy and trust. I extend my hand to you and swear by my dignity that I will not leave you alone on this path. Don’t leave me alone.”
Masoud Pezeshkian

While the Iranian President does enjoy some powers, the ultimate authority lies with the Supreme Leader, who has the final say on all matters of state.

Pezeshkian, Iran’s ninth elected President, will now have to be officially endorsed in a ceremony by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

After that, he will be sworn in at the parliament, which is in recess at the moment.

Alireza Salimi, a member of the presiding board of the parliament, told state media the inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies of Pezeshkian will be held before the end of the first half of the next Iranian month on August 5, 2024.

“These ceremonies will require protocols, and measures must be in place considering that there will be foreign guests, so time is needed to plan and schedule the formalities,” he disclosed.

“However, the parliament is prepared to hold an extraordinary session if the swearing-in ceremony is to be held earlier,” he added.

Former Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani congratulated Pezeshkian for his victory, saying that it shows people want major change.

The former President, who was in office from 2013 to 2021, noted, “The nation showed that it wants a serious transformation in governance conditions in the country. You chose moderation and reform over passivity.”

“In this national referendum, the people clearly voted for the approach of constructive interaction with the world and using smart and honourable diplomacy and restoring the JCPOA,” Rouhani said in reference to the 2015 nuclear deal that his administration signed with world powers.

He said that Pezeshkian has taken on a “hefty responsibility” in a complex and difficult situation.

Congratulatory Messages Flood In

The leaders of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Syria were among the first to congratulate Pezeshkian.

Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman said that he was “keen to develop and deepen the relations that bring together our two countries and peoples, and serve our common interests.”

According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he hopes that Pezeshkian’s tenure as President will contribute to a reinforcement of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples.”

Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev also congratulated Iran’s President-elect, inviting him to make a visit to the neighbouring country “to exchange views on the prospects for development of our bilateral cooperation.”

The Foreign Minister of Venezuela released a statement congratulating Iran for its “commitment demonstrated to democracy.”

“Venezuela expresses its conviction that the decision made by the Iranian people will contribute to the prosperity of this nation, as well as its consolidation as an emerging power in the nascent multipolar world,” Yvan Gil’s statement read.

It said that Pezeshkian will have the “absolute support” of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government with the aim of expanding relations and continuing to defeat “the hegemonic pretensions that threaten multilateralism and world peace.”