— 🇮🇷 Regarding this poll:

With Pezeshkian now clearly in the lead, the Conservatives need to decide what to do; both remain in the race, risking a second round, or dropping out and uniting behind a single candidate. To win the Presidency in the first round, one candidate needs at least 51% of the vote.

If Ghalibaf steps down in favor of Jalili, the Conservatives could possibly even win the election in the first round, with a bit of luck. If nobody steps down, there will be a second round.

Allowing Pezeshkian to reach the second round, probably against Jalili, would risk higher voter turnout and a Reformist win in the second round.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 NEW: Dr. Saeed Jalili announces he will NOT withdraw from the race

A private meeting was held today between Ghalibaf, Jalili and supposedly Ismael Qaani, leader of the IRGC's Quds Force, in which they pressured Jalili to withdraw for Ghalibaf, despite Jalili polling higher.

Jalili did not give in to the pressure, and refuses to withdraw. Only two options remain now: Ghalibaf withdraws for Jalili, or both candidates remain and one of them will go to the second round against Pezeshkian.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 Dr. Saeed Jalili in a work meeting with Martyr President Ebrahim Raisi

He was raising concerns about Iran's farmers and the lack of attention to rural areas and the simple working man.

Iran's rural voters should not be underestimated. They are often not represented properly in the polls.

@Middle_East_Spectator

The election is going to be extremely close.

Personally, I think this is good, it restores people's trust in the system.

A high turnout will be very positive. As Imam Khamenei said, 'every vote in the election is a vote for the Islamic Republic'.

People who fundamentally oppose Iran's system (the Islamic Republic) usually never vote, so voter turnout is a decent indicator of the % of the population's support for IR.

About the coup in Bolivia, I have nothing to say.

A friend of mine said it best.

— 🇮🇷 BREAKING: Presidential candidate Alireza Zakani drops out of the race

Zakani: 'I stayed until the end of the legal time of the competition, but the continuation of Martyr Raisi's path is more important.

I ask Jalili and Qalibaf to unite and not leave the revolutionary forces' rightful demands unanswered, and to prevent the formation of a Reformist government.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇵🇰/🇮🇷 The Minister of Defense of Pakistan, Khawaja Mohammad Asif:

'Our country is determined to eradicate terrorism in its southwestern border areas, and it has gained the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in fighting against this sinister phenomenon.

We have no challenges nor any obstacles in anti-terrorism cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we firmly believe that we have Tehran's full support in eradicating terrorism.

Our countries will remain brotherly nations and we will work together on a path of strong friendship and cooperation in the military field.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— Fun fact: Iranian Presidential candidate Dr. Saeed Jalili advocated for Iran actively enriching up to 90% (weapons grade) uranium, when the United States pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, as a retaliation

This was to be expected. I reported on it months ago, and I also privately voiced this possibility to my contacts.

The 'Litani River' thing was always an unrealistic goal for Israel.

This is what I told my friends a few weeks ago. Turns out I was right.

And I also reported about this three weeks ago, from a very reliable source.

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇱/🇱🇧 BREAKING: U.S. Intelligence indicates that a war between Israel and Hezbollah is approaching – Politico

@Middle_East_Spectator

🇵🇸🇮🇱⚡️- BREAKING: Israel's Security Ministerial Council, in charge of managing Area C and security sections of the Palestinian authority, announces the full implementation of Israeli law in ALL Palestinian territories in the West Bank, effectively annexing the West Bank.

— 🇺🇸 WATCH: It's only 15 minutes into the debate and Biden's mind is already shutting down

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇺🇸 Trump: We killed 'El-Bagdaddy' and 'Soolimayne', which helped US border security hugely (what?)

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇺🇸 Biden to Trump: 'You're a sucker and you're a loser'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇺🇸 Biden: 'My son was not a loser or a sucker, YOU are a loser and a sucker'

@Middle_East_Spectator