Ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi swept to a landslide win in Iran’s presidential election, potentially setting Tehran on a more hostile course toward the West as world powers attempt to revive a nuclear deal that could see it return to global oil markets.
While the 60-year-old’s ascension could complicate efforts to restart the 2015 accord to limit the country’s atomic activity, it’s not expected to derail them because that policy is decided by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The European Union said the talks would resume Sunday.
Raisi, who was elected after the lowest voter turnout in a presidential election in the Islamic Republic’s history, is seen as a favorite eventually to succeed Khamenei. With what appeared to be a nod to continuity, judiciary chief Raisi said he would listen to and work with the administration of outgoing President Hassan Rouhani until he takes office in mid-August.