Iran Votes To Elect New President From 4 Candidates Vetted By Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Council
Amid the escalating tensions, voting began in Iran on Friday, for a new president following the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. Voters get to choose from a controlled group of four candidates loyal to the supreme leader. According to Reuters, while the election may not make a big change in the Islamic Republic's policies, the outcome could influence the succession of Iran’s supreme leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
The election comes at a time when tensions are running high due to the war between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Western pressure on Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear programme.
Khamenei has called for a high voter turnout to counter the legitimacy crisis fuelled by public discontent over economic har...