TEHRAN – The Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has lauded the increased participation of people in the presidential runoff, calling it “a shining endeavor” that occurred despite the enemies’ calls to boycott the event.

In a message on Saturday, the Leader thanked all the candidates and participants involved in the elections. 

He encouraged the newly elected president to utilize the nation's vast resources for the people's well-being and the country's advancement, continuing the legacy of the late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

The text of the Leader’s message is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master, Muhammad, and his pure Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake).

Praise God, the Almighty and Merciful, for through His will and blessings the great nation of Iran was able to organize and conduct the presidential election swiftly within the short legal timeframe following the tragic loss of the martyred president. Free, transparent elections were held in two consecutive Fridays, and the president of the country was elected from among several candidates based on a majority of the votes.

Our respected election officials fulfilled their duties with the required promptness and with the utmost integrity. Our dear people came to the polls due to their sense of responsibility creating a warm, enthusiastic atmosphere and filling the ballot boxes with over 55 million votes in two stages.

This great movement in the face of the tumult calling for a boycott of the elections, which was orchestrated by the enemies of the Iranian nation to induce despair and a feeling of hopelessness, was a shining, unforgettable endeavor. All the respected candidates and all those who tirelessly worked day and night for weeks for the victory of each of them have a share in this honor and reward.

The Iranian people have now chosen their president. I extend my congratulations to the nation, the newly elected president, and all those who were active in this critical process, especially the enthusiastic youth who worked in the candidates' campaign headquarters. I encourage everyone to work together and with goodwill for the increased progress and honor of our country. It is befitting that the competitive behavior of the election period be transformed into feelings of camaraderie, and everyone must strive in accordance with their capacity for the material and spiritual advancement of the country.

I would like to recommend Dr. Pezeshkian, the elected president, put his trust in God, the Compassionate, and set his vision on high, bright horizons. In following the path of Martyr Raisi, I encourage him to make the best use of the abundant capacities of the country – especially our young, Revolutionary, faithful human resources – for the well-being of the people and the progress of the country.

Once again, I would like to thank Almighty God and extend my greetings and salutations to the great Remnant of God [Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake)]. I would also like to honor the memory of the esteemed martyrs and their magnanimous Imam [Imam Khomeini]. I sincerely thank all the respected candidates, those who actively took part in the election process during this critical period, as well as the national media, those who protect national security, and the governmental bodies responsible for the administration of the election.

Sayyed Ali Khamenei
July 6, 2024