One and a Half Cheers as Iran Elects a More Moderate President

Submission Statement: Iran recently elected a reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, for the first time in over 20 years, generating optimism for more moderate policies. However, Benjamin Dubow explains that Pezeshkian will face significant challenges in pursuing reform given that the hardliners still control key institutions like parliament and the media. Ultimate power remains with Supreme Leader Khamenei, so while Pezeshkian supports better ties with the West and more civil liberties, he has signaled he will not challenge the regime directly, so meaningful changes may be limited.