Masoud Pezeshkian, center, speaks in a debate of the candidates as Saeed Jalili listens at the TV studio in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 17, 2024. (Morteza Fakhri Nezhad/IRIB via AP)

Iran's presidential candidates Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian faced off in the first televised presidential debate of the 2024 elections on culture and politics.

The debate host revealed beforehand that a list of 10 questions on topics related to culture and politics was going to be discussed, with an allocated time for both candidates to present their arguments.

On the turnout rate in the runoff

The debate began with a question on how to increase the turnout of voters during the runoff following a 40% turnout in the first round of elections. Both candidates had four minutes to respond.

According to Jalili, the Islamic Republic of Iran "is proud to be based on people's votes", adding that he intends to engage the Iranian people with policy and decision-making, and said the nation garners its power from the people's participation.

Pezekshian, on the other hand, expressed his regrets regarding the low turnout on July 28, saying it was "concerning and unacceptable."

While both emphasized the need to preserve the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, as well as those of workers and women, a clash emerged as each candidate criticized what was lacking in the other's suggestions.

For example, Jalili stated how Pezeshkian's campaign was focused on women's rights and said they needed to be reflected in his plan, as millions of women head their households or have poor guardians. "The environment (at present) is certainly not the one that helps people's participation. People need to see their issues in these discussions," he further said.

Pezekshian responded by saying there were policies in place, but that politicians and policymakers did not meet their requirements. "Some who are the backbone of the Islamic Revolution do not have secure livelihood," he said, noting that the problem the lower class faced was a direct result of the government's work.

"If we want to increase participation [of people in elections], they must believe that officials sit at the same table as they do," he said.

For his part, Jalili responded, saying, "The problem is that if we ourselves, our campaigns, or those with official responsibilities act unethically in these areas, it is reprehensible and must be stopped." He further told Pezekshian that it was their duty to uphold the citizens' rights, nudging at the latter's campaign for Muslim Sunnis and all ethnic communities in Iran.

The issue of cyberspace

The next question provoked a discussion on cyberspace and the speed of the internet in Iran.

Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of respecting and listening to people, highlighting that managers must adhere to established programs, laws, and frameworks. He stressed the need to listen to the voices of the 60% who abstained from voting in the June 28 election, advocating for inclusive consideration of various societal groups such as artists, athletes, ethnic communities, and academics in government planning.

Pezeshkian underscored the necessity of justice and fairness in governance, warning that while a country can endure disbelief, it cannot survive injustice. He urged honesty and accountability from leaders, noting that sincerity fosters public trust. He also addressed internet restrictions, noting their global imposition during special times but criticized the over-reliance on VPNs due to excessive controls.

In agreement, Jalili emphasized the importance of hearing the voices of young people and students. He called for transparency in the implementation of laws, urging that the public be allowed to hold leaders accountable. Jalili also highlighted the need for a clear plan regarding cyberspace, presenting it as an opportunity that requires strategic communication with the public.

The question of Iran's foreign policy

Pezeshkian defended former President Hassan Rouhani's foreign policy, particularly the signing of the JCPOA nuclear deal, and called for the approval of FATF-related bills to enhance Iran's global trade relations. He also stressed the need to expand ties with all countries, in line with the policy of "Neither East Nor West, Iran" advocated by both Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

The reformist candidate criticized the political division over the FATF, noting the inconsistency in its support between successive governments. He emphasized that to thrive globally, Iran must cultivate more international connections and maintain a flexible foreign policy. He highlighted significant financial losses due to the lack of progress on the FATF and JCPOA, stating that sanctions are benefitting certain individuals.

He reiterated that Iran's foreign policy would follow the principles of dignity, wisdom, and expediency as outlined by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Jalili echoed the need for a dynamic and successful foreign policy, emphasizing that benefits from adversarial nations are unlikely. He pointed out that despite Iran's compliance with the JCPOA, as confirmed by the IAEA, the opposing side withdrew and increased sanctions. Jalili suggested leveraging international disagreements to Iran's advantage, such as exporting goods to Russia amid European restrictions.

Both Pezeshkian and Jalili highlighted the severe economic impacts of sanctions and the inefficiencies in Iran's oil and gas sectors. Pezeshkian noted that Iran's oil extraction technology is lagging, resulting in lower extraction rates and loss of global market share, while Jalili stressed the importance of removing the tool of sanctions through dialogue and ensuring compliance from international counterparts.

Iranian Election Commission: Pezeshkian, Jalili to second round

Following the results of the first round of the elections, Iran's electoral commission head, Mohsen Eslami, officially announced that presidential candidates Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili will proceed to a runoff in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for next Friday.

During a press conference to announce the election results, the head of the committee indicated that the turnout in the elections reached 40%, with Pezeshkian receiving (10,415,991 votes), while Jalili received (9,473,298 votes).

The Iranian Ministry of Interior's Presidential Elections Commission announced the conclusion of the voting process and the commencement of vote counting at midnight on Friday.

This followed three extensions of the electoral deadline, originally scheduled to conclude at six o’clock Friday evening. Extensions were granted initially until eight o'clock, then ten o'clock, and finally until midnight, Tehran time.

Iran held its 14th presidential election to elect a successor to the late President Ebrahim Raisi, in 58,640 polling stations across the country and 340 stations in more than 95 countries.