Iranians headed to the polls on Friday, June 28, 2024, for a snap presidential election following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. The late President Raisi was regarded as a leading candidate to replace Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over key state matters. The election comes amidst widespread apathy and voter disinterest, with the country grappling with conflict with Israel, a struggling economy, and social discontent. Four contenders are vying for the presidency: conservative Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; hardliner Saeed Jalili; moderate Masoud Pezeshkian; and conservative Mostafa Pourmohammadi. The candidates have renounced Iran's hijab enforcement and openly criticized the government during debates, addressing American sanctions that have contributed to the country's flailing economy. The election results may prove difficult to predict due to divisions among conservative leaders, and a runoff election will be held on July 5 if no candidate wins a majority on Friday.
