As Iran approaches its presidential election on June 28, the political landscape is marked by significant endorsements and strategic decisions. Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has received notable support from key figures, including former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, as well as Farrokh Negahdar, a former head of a major Marxist party. Pezeshkian, the only pro-reform candidate, has reiterated his commitment to Supreme Leader Khamenei's master plan for Iran, despite accusations questioning his reformist credentials. The election dynamics are further complicated by the potential withdrawal of conservative candidates, with Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi already dropping out and urging Saeed Jalili, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and Zakani to reach a consensus. The outcome of the election might hinge on whether Qalibaf or Jalili withdraws, which could impact Pezeshkian's chances of advancing to a second round.
Masoud Pezeshkian, the only pro-reform candidate in Iran’s presidential race, has ignored accusations that he is not a true reformist, and has just reiterated his obedience to Khamenei and his commitment to implementing Khamenei's master plan for Iran. https://t.co/N7Mj5ks2RB
Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi dropped out of the election race in favor of the "Revolution Front" and asked his "three brothers" (Jalili, Qalibaf and Zakani) to come to a consensus.
Big rumor that went around in Iran (don't think it's true personally) was that Hassan Nasrallah has tried to mediate between Jalili and Qalibaf and ask one of them (Jalili presumably) to drop out for the conservatives to win :)
#Iran’s former president Hassan Rouhani throws his weight behind reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, two days ahead of a snap presidential vote to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi. https://t.co/7QC7S6blQA
It tells you a lot about Islamic Republic’s political evolution: In 1997, Nateq Nuri was the conservative candidate defeated by reformist Khatami. Today both Nateq and Khatami have endorsed the reformist Pezeshkian who is not running on much of a reformist agenda https://t.co/9xAaHdEelm
Qalibaf won't drop-out. Qazizadeh likely will. Jalili maybe. The latter would obviously be very significant. https://t.co/bA3TB4BZAe
Will #Iran's presidential election, to be held June 28, bring a surprise? Will the reform candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian, at least make it to the second round? Patrick Clawson explains. https://t.co/sEySJs6vlN
Iran's former president and leader of the country's 'reformist' front Mohammad Khatami has, in a video message, expressed his support for pro-reform candidate Masoud Pezeshkian. "In the last election, I did not vote and joined the majority who feel that there is no one to listen… https://t.co/jb1Xv51qyH
Reformist scholar and former parliamentary candidate, who has advocated a Qalibaf-Pezeshkian pact before, now points to Qalibaf as a “strategic choice” for Iran — this is missed by many outside analysts: In most ways, Qalibaf is actually closer to Pezeshkian than to Jalili https://t.co/uy7fpUYBW9
Reformist scholar and former presidential candidate, who has advocated a Qalibaf-Pezeshkian pact before, now points to Qalibaf as a “strategic choice” for Iran — this is missed by many outside analysts: In most ways, Qalibaf is actually closer to Pezeshkian than to Jalili https://t.co/uy7fpUYBW9
Farrokh Negahdar, former head of a major Marxist party in Iran, endorses Pezeshkian for president. Negahdar has long backed voting & also voted a spoiled ballot in 2021 writing 'No to Raisi' (I previously said he voted for Hemmati which was my mistake, apologies to Farrokh) https://t.co/wOloZr1mdo
Farrokh Negahdar, former head of a major Marxist political party in Iran, endorses Pezeshkian for president. It isn't surprising as Negahdar has long backed voting and also voted for Hematti in 2021 despite widespread boycotts https://t.co/wOloZr1mdo
"Does Pezeshkian, as the sole advocate of some reforms, have a chance to win? If he does win, what changes can he deliver in Iran's domestic and foreign policies?" Iranian-American sociologist Majid Mohammadi explains in his latest for @IranIntl_En. https://t.co/8x7bkoyGI3
🇮🇷 This. This here is what people should be looking at ahead of Friday's election in #Iran. Which of Qalibaf/ Jalili drops out, if any. IMO, if one drops out, it likely reduces chances for reformist Pezeshkian to take it to a 2nd round. But if neither drops out, game on. #oott https://t.co/tPkWBh28Jh
Iran’s ex-FM @JZarif says it makes a big difference whether ‘reformist’ Masoud Pezeshkian becomes president and attends a meeting with the Supreme Leader, or hardliner Saeed Jalili. "If Jalili is elected, they will even fire me from university. I don't know about Ghalibaf,” he…