……beating his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili
The vote was declared in Dr Pezeshkian’s favour after he secured 53.3% of the more than 30 million votes counted. Mr Jalili polled at 44.3%.
The run-off came after no candidate secured a majority in the first round of the election on 28 June, which saw a historically low voter turnout of 40%.
The election was called after Iranās previous president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in May, in which seven others also died.
The leaders of China, India and Russia have all congratulated Dr Pezeshkian on his victory.
Even before the final results were declared by Iran’s interior ministry, Dr Pezeshkian’s supporters had taken to the streets in Tehran and a number of other cities to celebrate.
Videos posted on social media showed mostly young people dancing and waving the signature green flag of his campaign, while passing cars sounded their horns.
Dr Pezeshkian, a 71-year-old heart surgeon and member of the Iranian parliament, is critical of Iranās notorious morality police and caused a stir after promising āunity and cohesionā, as well as an end to Iran’s āisolationā from the world.
He has also called for āconstructive negotiationsā with Western powers over a renewal of the faltering 2015 nuclear deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for an easing of Western sanctions.
His rival, Saeed Jalili, favours the status quo. The former nuclear negotiator enjoys strong support amongst Iranās most religious communities.
Mr Jalili is known for his hardline anti-Western stance and opposition to restoring the nuclear deal, which he says crossed Iranās āred lines”.
Turnout in the latest round of voting was 50% – higher than the first round last week, when the turnout was the lowest since the Islamic revolution in 1979 amid widespread discontent, but still considerably low.
Peoplesmind
