Iranian American journalist Jason Rezaian, in a Op-ed for Washington Post highlights the problems a President faces when confronting the Supreme Leader. Rezaian who was WaPo’s Tehran Bureau chief when detained and was imprisoned for more than 500 days writes: “At the core of Khamenei’s struggle with his presidents is the question of the Islamic republic’s future. Will it stick to its ideological roots and remain insular and disconnected from the world in fundamental ways? Or will it open to international relations, increasing trade and allowing for greater personal freedoms for its citizens? The latter is seemingly the will of Iran’s people, who, when they turn out to vote in local and national elections, choose moderate candidates over hard-line ones — at least three of the four presidents who followed Khamenei prove that.”
Journalists in Tehran at Interior Ministry await some official announcement on the preliminary results
NYT's Tehran bureau chief writes: "The election emphasizes a split between those favoring overhauls and those who want to stick to the ideological precepts of the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Mr. Rouhani is seen as more outward-looking, favoring improved relations with other countries and opening up the largely state-run economy. Mr. Raisi favors a more populist, insular approach."
Iran State TV reporter said the counting commission has not concluded the preliminary result yet and therefore not ready to announce any information