First Debate Between Pezeshkian and Jalili: Discussion on Gas Prices, Low Participation, Protests, and the JCPOA

The first debate between Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili, as two candidates who advanced to the second round of the 14th presidential election, was held on the evening of July 2nd, where both candidates acknowledged the low voter turnout in the first round of elections. Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili, who received 42% and 38% of the votes respectively in the voting on July 8, faced each other to participate in a debate on 'cultural-political' topics. In response to the first question about voter participation, Saeed Jalili praised the holding of elections in the Islamic Republic without referring to his own program, stating that this process must move towards an 'ideal situation.' He emphasized the necessity of planning in this regard, considering the use of 'existing talents and infrastructures' as a basis for achieving results. Masoud Pezeshkian, at the beginning of his remarks and before addressing the voter participation issue, clarified that contrary to what has been published, he and his colleagues do not intend to raise gas prices. He further emphasized: 'I will not raise gas prices without the consent of the people, and I declare this firmly.' This election candidate also denied insulting Mowlavi Eydalhamid, which was attributed to his son. The leading candidate in the first round of elections criticized the atmosphere prevailing over the electoral campaigns, particularly targeting 'Hezbollahis' who labeled him 'hypocrite' at the Abdul Azim shrine. In response to the moderator's question, he stated, 'The participation that occurred is concerning; it is unacceptable that 60% of the people do not come to the polls.' He continued by stating that the reason for this occurrence is that part of the people are not 'engaged,' and according to him, they also do not come to the ballot box. The reference by both candidates to participation in the elections comes as statistics announced by the Ministry of Interior indicate that in the first round of the presidential election, less than 40% of eligible voters participated. Saeed Jalili, in response to Pezeshkian, referred to being called 'Taliban' by his rival's associates, stating that such remarks do not solve 'people's problems.' He also claimed to have collected a large volume of printed and bound papers of 'insults' directed at him. Mohsen Mansouri, the head of Saeed Jalili's campaign, simultaneously published an image of these pamphlets regarding what was called 'destructive instances' against this candidate on his X (Twitter) account. In another part of the debate, Masoud Pezeshkian referred to the expulsion of professors from universities and called for a greater role for Sunnis in the country's positions. However, Saeed Jalili considered part of Pezeshkian's remarks about Sunnis as electoral promises, stating: 'It is very inappropriate behavior to say during the election that you vote for me and in return, I will pay your rights.' In the discussions of these two candidates, there was no mention of other religious minorities, while the Islamic Republic has been dealing with believers of the 'Bahá'í' faith in various judicial and security forms for years. Masoud Pezeshkian, in another part of his remarks, criticized Iran's problems in recent years, adding: 'If the people were with us, they have the right to take to the streets, but if they are not with us and protest our performance, it is illegal for them to come out; we will arrest them and imprison them.' He emphasized the necessity of people's demand for accountability, recalling the protests of individuals such as teachers and retirees, stating that when they come to the streets to protest, they are 'imprisoned.' Meanwhile, Saeed Jalili, referring to the protests of 2022, claimed that he went among the students to hear their voices. He added that officials should go to universities: 'We should talk to the students and listen to their words.' In response to the moderator's question about his proposed mechanism for public protests, without referring to details, he said there is a defined mechanism and added that the voices of workers should be heard. He claimed that when the voices of workers are not heard, they take to the 'streets.' Masoud Pezeshkian, in response to Jalili's remarks about students, stated that students were 'expelled' during Ebrahim Raisi's government. He then referred to student protests against the wave of poisoning of schoolgirls in 2022, which, according to him, led to several students being 'suspended for two to three semesters' at Tabriz University and emphasized that restrictions were imposed on student activities. Foreign policy was another topic of this debate, which led to discussions about the FATF, the JCPOA, and the cheap sale of oil to China. Masoud Pezeshkian utilized Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian foreign minister, in his campaign, who reached an agreement with world powers regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program through negotiations. Mr. Pezeshkian defended the JCPOA, stating: 'They say the JCPOA has flaws, but Netanyahu was desperate to prevent the JCPOA from being implemented. Internally, we also fought to prevent the JCPOA from being implemented. When you negotiate, you give something and take something; it is not the case that you take everything.' Saeed Jalili is known as a prominent opponent of the JCPOA. Additionally, during the first round of debates in this election, Mostafa Pourmohammadi revealed Jalili's active role in opposing Iran's accession to the FATF and stated that he did not want this to happen during Hassan Rouhani's administration. Pezeshkian also raised the issue of the FATF and Iran's placement on the FATF blacklist, stating: 'How much do we lose because of the FATF and the JCPOA? We may be losing 10 trillion daily. We sell 30% cheaper and buy at a higher price, and they give us junk and trash. Some people are profiteering from the sanctions and are eating to their heart's content, and we are unaware because it is not transparent, and the people suffer.' However, Jalili claimed that Hassan Rouhani's government signed 41 FATF clauses. He stated: 'It is not the case that all countries implement all these clauses, but you implemented all the clauses. Nevertheless, the FATF says I do not accept these, and then you must take further action.' He then stated that Iran is 'creditor' in the JCPOA and FATF matter, continuing: 'The agency has confirmed 15 times that you have fulfilled your obligations, and the other side has not. You should be the creditor, and if you say the JCPOA should continue, they must first fulfill their obligations.' The second round of the Iranian presidential election is set to be held this coming Friday to determine the successor to Ebrahim Raisi. Meanwhile, opponents and critics of the Islamic Republic have interpreted the 60% non-participation of the people in the elections as a 'big no' to the Islamic Republic.