Who is Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's New Reformist President?

Iran has elected a reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, a former health minister known for his moderately liberal approach in Iran's largely conservative political landscape.

The Details: Pezeshkian defeated his hardline conservative rival in a runoff presidential election. His campaign promised to improve Iran's relations with the West, ease enforcement of the country's mandatory headscarf law, and resume discussions about Iran's nuclear program. His win has sparked celebrations in the streets, as many young Iranians, previously planning to leave the country, reportedly found renewed optimism for their future at home.

For Context: The country's previous president, Ebrahim Raisi, died in a plane crash in May. Pezeshkian's victory comes after a low voter turnout in the first round and dissatisfaction over the lack of choice in the elections. Despite the vote, skepticism remains, as the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, continues to hold the ultimate say over government policies.

How The Media Covered It: Most of the media coverage emphasized the victory of a reformist candidate and its potential implications for Iran's future. BBC News (Center bias) focused on Pezeshkian’s personal history and “hope” given to “some women and younger voters.” In its analysis, ZeroHedge (Lean Right bias) reported Pezeshkian's victory in the context of historically low voter turnout. While coverage was generally positive, it also indicated skepticism of the idea that Pezeshkian was truly a “moderate.” An editor wrote this summary with the help of AllSides-powered AI.