Saeed Jalili faces Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran's presidential runoff election

In the world of Iranian politics, hard-line presidential candidate Saeed Jalili is a figure with a controversial past. Despite his extensive experience as Tehran's top nuclear negotiator, Jalili's approach at the negotiating table has been criticized by Western diplomats for his tendency to lecture without offering substantial concessions. Known for his distinctive shock of white hair and beard, Jalili earned the moniker "Living Martyr" due to losing his right leg in combat during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. His rigid and unyielding demeanor during negotiations has been described as a "disaster" by diplomats, with some labeling him as a product of the Iranian Revolution for his unwavering stance. While Jalili's tenure as a nuclear negotiator under Ahmadinejad did not yield significant diplomatic breakthroughs, it was President Rouhani's administration that ultimately secured the 2015 nuclear deal, leading to Iran reducing its enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for lifted economic sanctions. Despite his hard-line stance, Jalili has garnered support from influential figures like Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, who hinted at Iran's right to develop "special weapons," alluding to nuclear capabilities. However, concerns have been raised about Jalili potentially implementing Taliban-like policies if elected, particularly regarding women's rights and enforcement of conservative dress codes. Jalili's campaign has been marked by ambiguity regarding his policy enforcement strategies, with conflicting messages emerging about his stance on issues such as mandatory headscarves for women. While some fear a return to strict social regulations under his leadership, Jalili's public image has shown moments of flexibility, such as posing for a selfie with a woman wearing a loose hijab. As Iran prepares for its upcoming presidential election, the candidacy of Saeed Jalili remains a topic of debate and scrutiny, with his past actions and statements shaping perceptions of his potential leadership style.