jordan pulse -

Amman - The Iranian Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday that the moderate candidate Masoud Bazeshkian, who pledged to open Iran to the world and provide the freedoms the people desire, won the second round of the presidential elections held on Friday.

"By securing the majority of votes on Friday, Bazeshkian becomes the next Iranian president," the ministry added.

Voter turnout was around 50% in a closely contested race between Bazeshkian, the only moderate candidate, and Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator and hardline conservative who strongly advocates for strengthening ties with Russia and China.

The first round, held on June 28, saw unprecedentedly low turnout, with over 60% of voters abstaining in the early elections to choose a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.

Friday's election featured a tight race between MP Masoud Bazeshkian, the sole moderate among the four candidates from the first round, and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, a hardliner.

Videos on social media showed Bazeshkian's supporters dancing in the streets in several cities and honking car horns in celebration of his victory.

In Bazeshkian's hometown of Urmia in northwest Iran, residents distributed sweets in the streets.

Although the election will have little impact on the policies of the Islamic Republic, the president will be closely involved in selecting the successor to Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old supreme leader who makes all major state decisions.

Khamenei told state television after casting his vote, "I've been informed that people's enthusiasm and interest are higher than in the first round. I pray that this is true, as it would be pleasing news."

Khamenei admitted on Wednesday that "the turnout was lower than expected," but said, "It is entirely wrong to believe that those who did not vote in the first round are against the Islamic ruling system."

Voter turnout has declined over the past four years, with opponents claiming this shows eroding support for the regime amid growing public discontent over economic hardships and restrictions on political and social freedoms.

Only 48% of voters participated in the 2021 election that brought Raisi to power, and the parliamentary elections in March saw a turnout of 41%.

However, the Ministry of Interior spokesperson told state television that initial reports indicated "higher participation compared to the same time in the first round of the elections."

The elections coincide with rising regional tensions due to the war and increasing Western pressure on Tehran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, told state media, "Voting gives us strength... even if there are criticisms, people must vote because every vote is like launching a missile at the enemies."

It is unlikely that the next president will make significant changes in policy regarding Iran's nuclear program or its support across the Middle East. However, the president manages the government's daily affairs and can influence the country's foreign and domestic policy approach.

**Competing Loyalists**
The candidates in the second round of the presidential elections are loyal to Iran's clerical rule, but analysts say Jalili's anti-Western stance could lead to more authoritarian domestic policies and more aggressive foreign policies.

Bazeshkian's victory could help promote pragmatic foreign policy and reduce tension over the stalled negotiations with major powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and improve prospects for social liberalization and political pluralism.

However, many voters doubt Bazeshkian's ability to fulfill his campaign promises, as the former health minister has stated that he does not intend to confront Iran's ruling clerical elite.

"I didn't vote last week, but I voted today for Bazeshkian. I know he will be a weak president, but he is still better than a hardliner," said Afarin, a 37-year-old beauty center owner in Isfahan, central Iran.

Many Iranians still have painful memories of how the state handled the widespread unrest triggered by the death of Iranian Kurdish young woman Mahsa Amini in 2022. The state suppressed these protests with a violent security crackdown, including mass arrests and even executions.

"I won't vote. This is a major rejection of the Islamic Republic because of Mahsa (Amini). I want a free country and a free life," said Sepideh, a 19-year-old university student in Tehran.

The hashtag #ElectionCircus has been widely circulated on the platform X since last week, with activists inside and outside Iran calling for a boycott of the elections, saying high turnout would legitimize the Islamic Republic.

The candidates promised to revive the struggling economy, plagued by mismanagement and corruption in government institutions and sanctions reimposed since 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal Tehran struck with six global powers.

"I will vote for Jalili. He believes in Islamic values. He promised to end our economic crises," said Mahmoud Hamid Zadghan, a 64-year-old retired employee in the northern city of Sari.