Prime Minister Modi Congratulates New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday. PM Modi expressed his eagerness to work closely with Pezeshkian to strengthen the long-standing bilateral relationship between India and Iran.

On social media, PM Modi wrote, “Congratulations @drpezeshkian on your election as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Looking forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our warm and long-standing bilateral relationship for the benefit of our peoples and the region.”

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidential elections in Iran, securing over 16.3 million votes out of 30.5 million counted. His ultraconservative rival, Saeed Jalili, received more than 13.5 million votes. The voter turnout was 49.8%.

Pezeshkian was elected in a second round of voting after leading in the first round, which had the lowest turnout since Iran’s establishment in 1979. He takes office in a country facing international isolation, internal discontent, a spiraling economy, and potential conflict with Israel.

Snap elections were held following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash in May.