The stances of Iran's presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian reflect the dualities of being a reformist politician within Iran’s Shiite theocracy. They are always pushing for change but never radical reforms to the system overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Reformist candidate for the Iran ’s presidential election Masoud Pezeshkian clenches his fists during a campaign rally in Tehran, Iran , Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Supporters of reformist candidate for the Iran ’s presidential election Masoud Pezeshkian, shown in the poster, attend a campaign rally in Tehran, Iran , Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Supporters of reformist candidate for the Iran ’s presidential election Masoud Pezeshkian attend a campaign rally in Tehran, Iran , Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
“The inclusion of the reformist Pezeshkian, who was likely qualified by authorities to boost voter turnout, failed to halt the trend of declining participation,” the geopolitical risk firm the Eurasia Group said in an analysis Tuesday. “Regardless of who wins the runoff, it is clear that the majority of Iranians have little faith in the governing system, regard elections to be sham affairs and are unlikely to participate even when an ostensible reformist is on the ballot.
Pezeshkian entered politics first as the country’s deputy health minister and later as the health minister under the administration of reformist President Mohammad Khatami. Yet Pezeshkian at the same time honored Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on one occasion wearing its uniform to parliament. He repeatedly criticized the United States and praised the Guard for shooting down an American drone in 2019, saying it “delivered a strong punch in the mouth of the Americans and proved to them that our country will not surrender.”
Elections Saeed Jalili International Agreements Ali Khamenei General News International News Global Elections Voting Ebrahim Raisi Politics Run-Off Elections World News Islam Mohammed Javad Zarif Iran Government
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