Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran's presidential runoff, aiming for moderate reforms amid challenges from hard-liners and regional tensions. His victory signals potential shifts in Iran's domestic and international policies.

Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, emerged victorious in Iran's presidential runoff election on Saturday. He defeated the hard-liner Saeed Jalili by pledging to improve relations with the West and relax enforcement of Iran's mandatory headscarf law, amidst years of sanctions and domestic protests that have strained the Islamic Republic.

Throughout his campaign, Pezeshkian emphasized continuity with Iran's Shiite theocracy and maintained Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's authority as paramount in state affairs. However, his moderate agenda faces significant challenges from entrenched hard-liners within the Iranian government, ongoing conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and Western concerns about Iran's nuclear activities nearing weapons-grade levels.

Official results indicated Pezeshkian secured 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili's 13.5 million in the election held on Friday. Supporters of Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon and seasoned legislator, took to the streets of Tehran and other cities to celebrate his victory as his lead over Jalili widened.

Nevertheless, Pezeshkian's win comes at a critical juncture for Iran, amidst regional tensions exacerbated by conflicts such as the Gaza war and Tehran's nuclear advancements. Additionally, uncertainty looms with regards to the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election, which could impact prospects for improved relations between Iran and Washington.

The first round of voting on June 28 saw historically low turnout since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Iranian authorities had anticipated higher participation rates, highlighting the regime's effort to demonstrate popular support amid economic hardship, widespread protests, and stringent crackdowns on dissent.

The election unfolded amid heightened regional tensions, underscored by Iran's direct involvement in conflicts like the Gaza war and its controversial nuclear program. The next president's foreign policy orientation, whether towards confrontation or cooperation with the West, will be crucial in shaping Iran's international stance.

The campaign also grappled with the implications of U.S. policy shifts, particularly concerning the Iran nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018. Despite indirect talks with President Joe Biden's administration, there has been limited progress towards restoring the agreement and lifting economic sanctions on Iran.

Over 61 million Iranians aged 18 and above were eligible to vote, with a significant proportion falling between 18 and 30 years old. Polling hours were extended to midnight to encourage higher turnout, amidst efforts to bolster legitimacy for the next administration.

The late President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in May, was viewed as a potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, having been associated closely with him. However, Raisi's legacy includes controversial episodes such as his role in mass executions in 1988 and crackdowns on dissent following protests over the enforcement of the mandatory hijab law in 2022.