By Research Fellow Govind Ramagopal

There have been a few fascinating Presidential elections since the birth of the Islamic Republic in 1979, but the election on June 18th promises to be one of the most consequential elections in the recent history of Iran. This election is significant as well because given Ayatollah Khamenei’s advanced age and ill health, it could be the last presidential election he presides over as Supreme Leader. Additionally, the election will be held during the ongoing COVID pandemic, where Iranians who have been suffering from sanctions induced economic hardship, have also been dealing with economic travails brought about by the COVID pandemic. While there has been no lockdown on the scale seen in Western countries, frustration about economic, political, and health related disasters and incompetence have reached new heights. The hope and optimism that permeated through much of Iranian society after President Rouhani’s election in 2013, and especially in the aftermath of the JCPOA’s passage in 2015, have long since evaporated. Now, anger and apathy are widespread amongst those with moderate or reformist political inclinations.