Iran’s presidential election heads to runoff following low turnout

Iran’s presidential election has taken an unexpected turn as no candidate managed to secure a majority in the first round of voting. The race now moves to a run-off between hardline candidate Saeed Jalili and reformist Massoud Pezeshkian.

The two candidates were neck and neck, with each hovering around the 40% mark, overtaking each other several times throughout the day. Candidates must secure 50% of the vote to win outright, leading to the need for a second round of voting.

The run-off election is set for 5 July, according to Iran’s interior ministry. This election comes after the tragic death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, along with seven others.

The outcome of the run-off election will determine who will succeed Raisi as Iran’s president, with the country watching closely to see which direction the leadership will take. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.