JUNE 28 marked a significant turn in Iran‘s domestic and foreign policy as millions of Iranians return to the polls to elect their new president.
Of the initial six candidates approved by the Guardian Council, two candidates quit the presidential race a day before the elections.
Government official Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi announced his withdrawal on Thursday, citing efforts to “strengthen” the forces of the “revolution.”
Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani also dropped out of the race on the same day.
Of the four candidates left, lawmaker and former parliament deputy speaker Masoud Pezeshkian, who advocates dialogue with Western powers, was the only pro-reform politician on the list.
Voting was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., local time.
The elections took place one year earlier following the sudden demise of former President Ebrahim Raisi who died from a helicopter crash on the 19th of May.
Before his death, 63-year-old Raisi was widely considered as the potential successor of 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who currently holds the most powerful political position in the country.
The critical election, watched by Iran’s allies and foes worldwide, took place amid concerns it could end up just like the parliamentary elections in March that saw the lowest number of voters not seen since the foundation of Iran in 1979.
