The cleric and former chief justice’s inauguration comes as the country struggles to revive a sanctions-hit economy and restart stalled nuclear talks.
The unsurprising victory of Ebrahim Raisi will further entrench the hardline establishment, to the detriment of Iranians who have sacrificed their lives and livelihood for basic freedoms.
The restricted field may further dim the clerical establishment’s hopes of a high turnout amid growing public frustration over economic hardship and political restrictions.
Many moderate and reformist candidates were disqualified by the country’s Guardian Council, a vetting body dominated by clerics. But public opinion is shifting in favour of a moderate candidate.
Iran's Guardian Council seems to have all but snuffed out any moderate or reformist competition ahead of June's election.
Recent statements from within Iran point towards a showdown with the US, but one that hopes to sway domestic politics too.
Iran witnessed a resounding victory by conservative hard-liners, with far-reaching implications set to impact diplomatic efforts with the US.
The nuclear deal, gas exports, the civil war in Syria, the Houthi rebellion in Yemen and relations with Israel could all be affected by the outcome of the Iranian presidential election on Friday.
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