Massoud Pazkhian, affiliated with the reformist camp has been declared the winner of the Iranian presidential elections

Massoud Pazkhian, affiliated with the reformist camp, has been declared the winner of the Iranian presidential elections, as announced by the country's interior ministry. Pazkhian secured 16.3 million votes, surpassing his closest rival Said Jalili, who received 13.5 million votes. The voter turnout for the election was approximately 50%.

The polling stations across Iran closed on Saturday after the second round of presidential elections. The first round, held a week earlier, saw historically low turnout at 39.9%. Initially scheduled to close at 18:00 local time, voting was extended first to 20:00 and then further to 21:30 during the day.

Massoud Pazkhian, aged 69, is a trained heart surgeon and has previously served as the Minister of Health and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. During his campaign, he garnered support from figures associated with the reformist and moderate factions, notably endorsed by former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Close to Supreme Leader

Said Jalili, who competed closely with Pazkhian, has been recognized for his role in past negotiations on the nuclear agreement, particularly during talks in Vienna in 2015. His candidacy was aligned with the views closely associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Following President Raisi's Death

The presidential elections were conducted following the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, which also claimed the lives of other senior officials including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Future Implications

With Pazkhian's victory, Iran faces new prospects and challenges ahead under his leadership, amidst ongoing regional and international dynamics, including the nuclear negotiations and broader geopolitical issues.

This outcome marks a significant moment in Iran's political landscape, shaping the country's trajectory in the coming years under new presidential stewardship.