Iranian lawmaker Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate in Iran's presidential election runoff, is aiming to mobilize a disenchanted public to vote on Friday. Pezeshkian's campaign focuses on addressing the country's economic hardships and grievances over social issues.

Following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, Pezeshkian condemned the arrest of the young girl for her hijab and the subsequent handover of her lifeless body to her family. He warned against insulting the supreme leader, stating that such actions would only fuel anger and hatred within society.

Pezeshkian, 69 years old and a former deputy health minister and health minister, is no stranger to political dynamics within Iran's Shiite theocracy. He has advocated for change while remaining within the boundaries set by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The presidential election held on June 28 saw the lowest turnout in history, reflecting public frustration with economic struggles and the government's crackdown on dissent. Pezeshkian now faces the challenge of convincing those who previously decided not to cast their ballots to participate in the runoff election.

During a televised debate, Pezeshkian acknowledged the discontent among the people due to high prices, censorship of the internet, and mistreatment of women. He emphasized the need for reform and a change in behavior.

In Friday's election, Pezeshkian will compete against hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who holds an advantage after garnering the support of another hard-liner, parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Pezeshkian has aligned himself with other moderate and reformist figures and has received endorsement from former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who played a crucial role in the 2015 nuclear deal.

The disillusionment caused by the withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear accord in 2018, coupled with the brutal suppression of protests following Amini's death and the mandatory hijab law, has deepened discontent among the electorate. Pezeshkian has expressed his desire for better relations with the West, a return to the nuclear deal, and less strict enforcement of the hijab law.

Despite the inclusion of Pezeshkian as a reformist candidate, analysts suggest that the declining participation trend in Iranian elections remains unchanged. The majority of Iranians lack faith in the current governing system and view elections as mere façades, undermining the potential impact even if a reformist candidate is on the ballot.

Born on September 29, 1954, in Mahabad, Pezeshkian comes from an Azeri father and a Kurdish mother. He has been an advocate for minority ethnic groups in Iran and served in the Iran-Iraq war, providing medical support to the frontlines.

Pezeshkian's independent stance has been a defining characteristic of his political career, and he has maintained his support for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard while criticizing the United States. He praised the Guard's shooting down of an American drone in 2019, emphasizing Iran's determination not to surrender.

As the runoff election approaches, Masoud Pezeshkian seeks to connect with disenchanted voters and offer a vision for a more inclusive and reform-oriented Iran.