The final round of television debates preceding Iran's pivotal July 5 runoff presidential election saw frontrunners Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili targeting the undecided voters across the republic. 

With the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 revolution recorded at just 40%, the strategies to win over the abstaining electorate were front and centre of both men's campaigns.

The narrow vote margin between Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili—10,415,901 to 9,473,298, respectively—coupled with the historically low voter turnout, highlights the pivotal role those undecided voters will play in shaping the election's outcome. Pezeshkian, backed by moderate and reformist supporters, faces the critical task of mobilising nonvoters to secure a broader electoral base. His appeal to this demographic is crucial as he seeks to bridge gaps and rally support beyond his established voter pool. Meanwhile, Jalili's strategy focuses on consolidating the support from hardline factions and voters previously aligned with candidates like Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Mustafa Pour Mohammadi. By securing this base, Jalili aims to solidify his position in the runoff, leveraging a more concentrated voter bloc to bolster his chances of victory.

The final debate highlighted the clear water between both parties. Pezeshkian advocates for a policy of international engagement and internal reform, aiming to navigate Iran towards a more globally integrated stance while addressing domestic concerns. His approach appeals to those seeking moderation and progress within Iran's political landscape. In contrast, Jalili emphasises resilience and steadfastness against external pressures, appealing to voters prioritising national sovereignty and traditional values, similar to that of Raisi's previous tenure. 

Held on the night of July 2 and broadcast live on state IRIB, the debate was initially intended to address critical economic issues. Topics such as capital market strategies, monetary policy, currency market stability, pension fund management, and housing plans were on the agenda. However, the discourse quickly shifted to a heated exchange of accusations and counterclaims regarding the performance of previous administrations and the candidates' own economic plans.

Masoud Pezeshkian, a candidate with strong backing from moderates and reformists, despite his insistence on political independence, focused his arguments on the need for a comprehensive economic growth strategy. He sharply criticised the current administration for failing to reduce inflation to single digits, highlighting that inflation has remained in double digits for the past three years. "We have merely increased the country's money supply during this period," Pezeshkian stated, urging the public to seek validation from experts or the Central Bank.

Pezeshkian condemned the Raisi administration's unfulfilled promises of doubling employment and building a million homes annually.

"In these three years, only permits for 900,000 homes have been issued," he noted the massive price increases in apartments in Tehran and other cities as part of the broader problem.

Emphasising the need to lift sanctions and improve Iran's international engagement, Pezeshkian said that resolving these issues is essential to enhancing living standards.

"I will act quickly in this regard," he pledged, acknowledging that not all of Iran's economic problems stem from US sanctions. He advocated for boosting domestic production through public participation and outlined his plan for economic advancement, which has garnered support from over 140 economists with diverse perspectives.

Pezeshkian also targeted the so-called "shadow government," accusing a clandestine group of making unaccountable decisions. "These people sit in the shadow government and make decisions about everything, then claim they will do certain things. In theory, anyone can say anything," he remarked, urging voters to compare the promises of the current administration with those of former President Mohammad Khatami's government.

With a table full of papers to suggest how organised he was, Jalili focused on refuting Pezeshkian's criticisms and bolstering his own image as a candidate with clear solutions.

Jalili accused Pezeshkian of failing to propose a viable plan for economic growth and sanction mitigation. "You claim the country is at an impasse, but I do not believe in such an impasse. While you attribute setbacks to sanctions, we are seeing advancements in oil exports and investments," Jalili asserted.

Jalili also labelled Pezeshkian's potential administration as a continuation of President Rouhani's government, which he criticised for its passive approach to economic challenges.

He accused Pezeshkian of providing misleading statistics and misunderstanding economic terms, specifically confusing the volume of liquidity with its growth rate. "What drives economic growth is active resistance against sanctions. Your approach is passive, relying on external pressures to negotiate internally," Jalili argued.

 Pezeshkian emphasised international engagement, legal reforms, meritocracy, and widespread public participation as cornerstones of his economic policy. He stressed the importance of having multiple strategies for negotiating with the US and other international actors, advocating for a policy of dignity, wisdom, and expediency.

"We're not set on lifting all sanctions unconditionally. It’s about negotiation, depending on what we offer and receive," Pezeshkian concluded.

Voices following televised debate

Our Bnm IntelliNews collected commentary from across Iran as part of the last debate. One commenter from Tehran sparked initial discussions with a cryptic comment online, "If you want to cry, cry," which quickly gained traction in one forum, reflecting a sentiment of disillusionment shared by many. The reformist candidate faced sharp accusations of dishonesty. "Pezeshkian lies easily and thinks his audience is stupid, that he's clever, and that his audience won't detect his lies," remarked a middle-aged citizen from Shiraz.

Further criticisms came from a young adult in Isfahan, who labelled Pezeshkian a liar and questioned his credibility. A man in his late 40s from Mashhad supported this stance, stating, "Mashregh News is more truthful," suggesting a preference for alternative news sources over Pezeshkian's claims.

Even Pezeshkian’s supporters expressed doubts. A supporter from Yazd acknowledged, "Dear doctor, I am your supporter, but honestly, you have no plan and your statements today contradict your previous speeches," highlighting inconsistencies in Pezeshkian's political narrative. A commentator from Tabriz criticised the current political environment, comparing it unfavourably to Western practices. "How ugly it is that for several years now, behaviour has been in the style of American debates. How important is this power that you trample ethics?" they lamented.

One young woman speaking with bnm IntelliNews who asked not to use her name said, “It does not matter whom we vote in; we’re all planning on emigrating abroad as soon as our papers come through.”