“Reformist lawmaker Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran’s presidential vote,” CNN, 7-6-24.  Remember, reformist really doesn’t mean reformer, someone to stand up to the Regime.  If anything, it means a slight tendency to be willing to talk to the U.S. but only to gain traction for the Islamic State of Iran.  It does not mean any true significant agreement with the U.S., or Saudi Arabia, and certainly absolutely no dealings with Israel.  In this way they are different than the hardline conservatives.  The long CNN article implies Pezeshkian can make change with the West—only the Supreme Leader can, and he won’t.  Another thing the article says, “Out of 30.5 million votes counted in Friday’s runoff, Pezeshkian won 53.6%, edging out ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, who had 44.3% of the votes, according to state-run Press TV. Voter turnout was 49.8%, Press TV reported.”  That is the key, that Press TV reported, a government source.  Remember, only 40% voted (supposedly) for the general election—how would there be more voting in the run-off?  Very unlikely.  Will we ever know the true number of voters?

Regardless, the NYT today in its story implies that having a reformist explains the hope some persons have and came out to vote in greater numbers, just to have some inkling of improvements in life in the country.  As we saw with Rouhani’s presidency, this is unlikely.  The president holds few real powers.  See “Reformist Candidate Wins Iran’s Presidential Election,” NYT, 7-6-24.

See also “Centrist Masoud Pezeshkian will be Iran’s next president,” Al Jazeera, 7-6-24.

“Iranian voters pick moderate as president to replace hardline Raisi,” Reuters, 7-6-24.  He is urging people to stick with him because of the difficulty of the promises he has made.  Success will only be seen if he actually curbs the Morality Police and their abuse of women who don’t partly or fully cover their hair, and success will only be seen if he fulfills the promise of negotiating over the nuclear program and ending the corresponding sanctions.  He will fail because the Leader insists on Islamic values (head coverings) and having nuclear deterrence and offensive capabilities.