Iran Presidential Hopefuls Face Off in One-On-One Debate

Presidential hopefuls who will compete in Iran’s run-off election Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili held their first televised debate on Monday.

Pezeshkian and Jalili, who qualified for the second round of the 14th presidential election squared off to present their plans on political and cultural issues on Monday evening, Iranian media reported.

The two candidates won the highest number of votes in the nationwide presidential election on June 28.

Pezeshkian garnered 42.45% of the ballots, while the runner-up, Jalili, secured 38.61% of the votes.

The two candidates had heated exchanges on the topics and questions about the culture and politics raised by the presenter in the first televised debate.

Jalili and Pezeshkian outlined their plans on a series of economic issues as they expressed their views on several cases related to the: voter turnout in the first round of elections on June 28, rights of minorities, cyberspace and internet, foreign policy and foreign relations as well as many other cases.

Jalili stressed that “the Islamic Establishment is proud to be based on people’s votes”, adding that has plans to increase people’s participation in policy-making. “If Iran has power, progress, and success, it is the result of people’s participation.”

He underlined the need for preserving the rights of minorities as well as workers and women.

On the foreign policy, Jalili echoed said: “we must definitely have a dynamic, active, and successful foreign policy” but he noted: “If we want to gain benefits from those with whom we have most differences, it will certainly not be achieved.”

He said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported 14 times that Iran had fulfilled its commitments under the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. In this context, Jalili stressed that the other side completely withdrew from the deal.

“Let’s not accuse our own nation and absolve the other side. The IAEA said Iran fulfilled its commitments, and I say we even went beyond our commitments. But what was the result? They withdrew and sanctions increased from 800 to 1500.”

For his part, Pezeshkian regretted over 40% voters’ participation in the first round, saying “turnout was low and concerning”.

He also stressed the need for preserving the rights of minorities.

On the issue of cyberspace and internet, the Iranian hopeful said: “If we respect people and listen to them, as a manager I no longer have the right to act against the program, the law, and the framework.”

Regarding the foreign policy, Pezeshkian defended former President Hassan Rouhani’s foreign policy in signing the nuclear deal and called for intensified efforts to approve the FATF-related bills by Iranian relevant bodies to expand Iran’s trade relations with the world.