Masoud Pezeshkian Elected Iran's President

Image copyright: Hossein Sepahvand/Office of the Iranian President/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

While there are question marks about how much he can achieve, Pezeshkian's election could see a more pluralistic Iran where repression is eased and the country has healthier ties with the West, including the possibility that Iran will better engage in nuclear discussions.

Narrative B

Pezeshkian's victory will create little change in Iran. Despite his campaign promises, the country is still controlled by the Islamic theocracy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his cast of conservative hardliners. Pezeshkian has vowed not to challenge the existing structures.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 70% chance that Iran will possess a nuclear weapon before 2041, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


Articles on this story