The presidential elections of the Iranian regime, despite employing various tactics to draw people to the polls, ended in complete failure across both rounds. The regime attempted to revitalize its stagnant electoral scene through a range of strategies: reviving the rhetoric of reformism, promising rights for ethnic minorities, and allowing candidates to criticize the dire economic conditions. Yet, these efforts were met with a resounding rejection from the people in cities and regions across the country.

Actual voter turnout was significantly lower than the inflated figures announced by the Ministry of Interior. Forced to acknowledge the widespread boycott, the regime claimed a 60% turnout in the first round and 50% in the second. However, reports from various cities suggested that participation ranged between only 10% and 15%, with voters primarily consisting of government employees, regime loyalists, and individuals coerced into voting.

The approval of Masoud Pezeshkian as the reformist candidate in the first round marked a new tactic by the Supreme Leader, contrasting with prior parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections where opposition candidates were entirely disqualified. Confronted by the enduring “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement—persisting despite brutal crackdowns on women’s struggles, labor strikes, ethnic protests, and demonstrations by teachers and retirees—alongside economic collapse worsened by sanctions, the regime backed a so-called reformist candidate.

In reality, Khamenei supported Pezeshkian, who has consistently pledged loyalty to the Supreme Leader, as a means to counter the Jinā (Mahsa) Amini movement, which calls for the Regime’s complete overthrow. Pezeshkian’s hollow promises to address economic and social issues, particularly the rights of ethnic minorities like Turks in Azerbaijan, were designed to stifle the growing movement. Additionally, Khamenei viewed Pezeshkian as a tool to revive appeasement policies with the West through regime-linked lobbying, aiming to ease crippling sanctions.

Regrettably, some still mistakenly believe the regime can be pressured into meaningful internal reform. These individuals—though not necessarily regime loyalists—advocate participation in elections under the false hope that empowering reformist factions can create change within the system.

We firmly contend that the Iranian regime has immovable red lines embedded in its constitutional framework, including the Supreme Leader’s unchecked authority, the system’s Islamic foundations, religious governance, gender inequality, lack of comprehensive democracy, and disregard for ethnic rights and self-determination. Fundamental human rights cannot be realized under the current regime.

The Congress of Iranian Federal Nationalities and the Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran assert that no political opening is possible under the Islamic Republic. The regime, with all its corrupt factions and criminal networks, must be entirely overthrown by the people of Iran.

Congress of Federal Nationalities for Iran
Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran

July 10, 2024