A key question is whether 'moderate' candidate Masoud Pezeshkian can motivate reform-minded and other voters, who have abstained from voting in the last three elections in Iran, to return to the polls.
The six handpicked candidates in the upcoming presidential election, including Pezeshkian, have yet to offer any new or interesting solutions to potential voters about reversing their declining economic well-being.
Pezeshkian's candidacy raises questions about whether he represents the Iranians who have become disillusioned with the government after several rounds of protests and violent confrontations in recent years. There is uncertainty about whether voters will trust him after so many years of the government barring all hundreds of candidates from elections. His sheer presence might not be enough to bring disillusioned voters back to the polls.
The situation has plunged Iranian society into deep despair about their demands not being met by the government and concerns about the future of the country. Desperation and protest have been the main characteristics of Iranian society since 2017 when the first in a series of large protests began. These sentiments have led to the lowest voter turnouts in the history of Iranian elections over the past 45 years.
Two Iranian sociologists Mohammad Reza Javadi Yeganeh and Taghi Azad Armaki, both from the University of Tehran, have spoken to Rouydad24 news website in Tehran to address these questions.
Yeganeh acknowledged voters' frustration with the electoral process but emphasized that voting and pursuing gradual reforms remain the only solutions. Meanwhile, Armaki argued that intellectuals must convince the public that gradual reforms can be effective; otherwise, Iranian society risks a dangerous collapse.
Yeganeh said that as a result of the government's approach to elections Iranians have lost hope in political change through voting. He reiterated that forecasts indicate a low turnout in the upcoming election. The expectations are about a maximum turnout figure of around 50 percent of eligible voters, he said, adding that reformists have lost a major part of their vote basket anyway. The voters know that the candidates are not going to be able to meet their promises about improving the people's situation.
He also said that it is difficult to rebuild the ties between the people and the government. Yeganeh added that if the reformist figures who want to vote do not say that loud and clear during the next week, the turnout will hardly reach 50 percent.
Meanwhile, Dr. Armaki said that a large part of the society no longer listens to the government due to increasing dissatisfaction. They ask themselves why they should interact with a government that does not pay any attention to their problems. Even if they decide to vote at the last moment, that will not change anything.
Armaki added that Iranians have been demanding change during at least the past 15 years. If Pezeshkian can present himself as the advocate of change while other candidates advocate the status quo, then he might have a chance.
This comes while many voters who are vocal on social media do not believe in Pezeshkian's abilities as a change maker. Some social media activists criticize him for not responding to some questions and saying that experts will tackle them. Arash Sepehri wrote: "No one expects him to be an expert on everything. He is surrounded by experts with often conflicting ideas about the economy."
Another social media activist and journalist, Mohammad Parsi criticized all of the candidates about their views on a variety of matters, "From distribution of meat in the market to eliminating the filtering of social media and sorting out the problem of housing. You are presenting the bare essential needs as dreams and promises." He charged that "after 45 years, the candidates have given up the dream of turning Iran into an Islamic Japan, instead becoming the North Korea of the Middle east!"
Yet other social media users, mocked Pezeshkian for responding to a question about his economic plans with a long verse in Arabic that would make sense to very few Iranians as Persian speakers. In the video that went viral, even the interviewer, a seasoned businessman and former Trade Minister Yahya Al-e Es'haq, looks bewildered by the answer, let alone the man in the street who probably does not know there is going to be an election soon.
Iranian state media has reported that Mohammad Mokhber called for a thorough inquiry into reports of adverse effects from the dialysis solution.
On Tuesday, Iran International TV's Titre Aval program (First Headline) revealed documents showing that peritoneal dialysis solutions produced by Samen Pharmaceutical Company, owned by US-sanctioned Astan Quds Razavi, are contaminated with aluminum. The report revealed contamination has poisoned several dialysis patients, leading to some fatalities. The Astan business conglomerate is controlled by Ali Khamenei's office.
Peritoneal dialysis is a kidney failure treatment that filters blood through the abdominal lining, requiring a surgical tube insertion into the belly.
Iran International's report featured voice messages from individuals sharing their loved ones' experiences, recounting seizures and coma-like states with decreased consciousness levels. Following the program's broadcast, another individual reported the death of a patient due to the contamination's consequences.
Iran International also published two letters regarding this issue.
The first, dated June 6, from the Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) to Samen's CEO, demanded the halt of the distribution and use of the contaminated solutions.
The second, dated June 8, from the director of the Iranian Nephrology Association, informed nephrologists across Iran about the contamination and patient poisonings. It confirmed that Samen acknowledged the contamination.
During Donald Trump's presidency, the US sanctioned Astan Quds Razavi, a robust religious-business foundation managing the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, for being controlled by Iran's Supreme Leader.
The institution enables “Iran’s elite to sustain a corrupt system of ownership over large parts of Iran’s economy,” according to the US Treasury.
Iran's late president, Ebrahim Raisi, was a former head of Astan Quds Razavi, which has extensive economic holdings in Iran. Raisi's successor, Ahmad Marvi, was also sanctioned under Executive Order 13876.
Swiftly after the Iran International report, state media reported that the Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) also said it had received reports of problems and side effects related to Samen Pharmaceutical Company's peritoneal dialysis solution. They confirmed on Wednesday that an order had been issued to stop the production, distribution, and consumption of this product's entire manufacturing series until more detailed tests were carried out in the country.
According to Hamshahri Online in Tehran, the Samen company also announced that the issue is under investigation.
This report emerges amidst significant concerns over the scarcity and escalating costs of medications in Iran, coupled with pharmaceutical companies facing bankruptcy and closure. Local media report that many common and critical hospital drugs are unavailable.
The government controls medicine imports, allocating foreign currency to public and private sector importers. However, Iran's economic challenges, worsened by numerous sanctions, have stretched the government's ability to allocate foreign currencies. Additionally, reports of widespread corruption in the pharmaceutical sector have exacerbated the current situation.
Despite these challenges in the health sector, the government continues to finance a host of armed militias throughout the Middle East, including Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah and Houthis in Yemen, in addition to its military presence in Syria.
Over the past few years, the Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent have seen numerous reports and news reports about corruption in drug imports. It has been revealed that some groups allocated government funds for medicine imports but misused these funds for other purposes.