On July 6, 2024, Dr. Masood Pezeshkian, former health Minister, assumed office as the 9th President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dr. Pezeshkian secured nearly 3,000,000 more votes than his closest competitor, Saeed Jalili, Iran’s former nuclear negotiator. Voter turnout was recorded at 49.8 % — higher than the record low of 39.92% in the first round. The snap election was necessitated by the tragic demise of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May 2024. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated that Dr. Pezeshkian’s victory resulted from a ‘free and transparent election.’ The Supreme Leader holds the highest level of authority in Iran and wields the greatest amount of power. However, the president retains the ability to exert influence over both domestic and certain foreign affairs.[1]
