Article:

In a thinly veiled warning, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued caution to the sole reformist candidate, Masoud Pezeshkian, ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Khamenei expressed skepticism towards anyone who believed that progress could only come from the United States, sending a clear message to Pezeshkian, who has aligned himself with officials from the administration of former President Hassan Rouhani.

Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, has fully embraced the 2015 nuclear deal reached with world powers, which was spearheaded by Rouhani. In contrast, his five hard-line opponents seek an agreement on Iran's terms. Khamenei's words appeared to directly undercut Pezeshkian's candidacy.

The Supreme Leader also emphasized the importance of maximum voter turnout for Friday's election, highlighting the potential support Pezeshkian could gain. The reformist candidate has already drawn large crowds in major cities, but it remains uncertain whether his candidacy alone can motivate an apathetic public.

During a speech marking the Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, Khamenei stated, "Some politicians in our country believe they must kowtow to this power or that power, and it's impossible to progress without sticking to famous countries and powers." He firmly rejected the notion that all avenues to progress must pass through America, suggesting that such individuals cannot effectively lead the country.

The Supreme Leader's remarks incited chants of "Death to America, death to Israel" from an enthusiastic crowd. Khamenei had to repeatedly intervene to restore order during his hour-long speech.

Notably, Khamenei's call for maximum turnout comes on the heels of a record-low participation in the recent parliamentary election. Tehran residents have expressed widespread apathy amidst a deteriorating economy due to Western sanctions and past anti-government protests.

Pezeshkian, previously unknown to the general public, has attempted to align himself with symbols from previous reformist campaigns. His campaign slogan "For Iran" reflects a call to nationalism instead of religion, echoing an earlier slogan used by former reformist President Mohammad Khatami. Pezeshkian has also been photographed wearing green scarves, reminiscent of the 2009 Green Movement protests.

Khamenei's remarks can also be seen as a warning to Mohammad Javad Zarif, former Foreign Minister and key figure in negotiating the nuclear deal, and even to Rouhani himself. The Rouhani administration has faced criticism from hard-liners since the collapse of the deal in 2018 when the U.S. withdrew. Iran has since advanced its uranium enrichment program and impeded international inspections.

Friday's election could potentially see a second round of voting if all hard-line candidates remain, splitting the vote against Pezeshkian. However, it is common for candidates to withdraw after the last debate to rally around a single front runner.

While Khamenei's remarks were seen as an attempt to sway opinion before the presidential election's last televised debate, Pezeshkian remained focused on the need for talks to restore the nuclear deal. Meanwhile, hard-line candidate Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi criticized Pezeshkian for his ties to reformists, suggesting potential post-election protests by his supporters.

As the election approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, with the Iranian public grappling with economic challenges and past grievances. The choices made by the voters will shape the country's trajectory and its future relations with the outside world.