Iran holding runoff presidential election after initial low turnout in first round

Iran is holding a runoff presidential election on Friday after the first round of voting had the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.

The first election between hard-liner Saeed Jalili, who negotiated with the West on the country's nuclear program, against reformist Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon turned legislator, had the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be a higher turnout on Friday in the second round. 

“I have heard that people’s enthusiasm is more than before,“ Khamenei said. “God willing, people vote and choose the best” candidate.

The election is being held in the aftermath of the late President Ebrahim Raisi dying in a May 19 helicopter crash that also resulted in the death of the country’s foreign minister and others.