US does not expect fundamental changes after Iran's presidential elections

(Patria) - The United States has stated that it does not expect a "fundamental change" in Iran regardless of who wins the second round of the presidential elections and said it does not consider the first round to be free and fair, AFP reported.

Masoud Pezeshkian, declared a reformist in the Islamic Republic, placed first in the elections and will go to the second round on Friday against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili.

"These elections in Iran are not free and fair," said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.

"We do not expect these elections, whatever their outcome, to lead to a fundamental change in Iran's direction or to lead the Iranian regime to offer more respect for human rights and more dignity for its citizens."

He cast doubt on official turnout figures.

"Even the Iranian government's official turnout figures, like most other things related to the Iranian regime, are unreliable," he said.

Iranian authorities said just over 40 percent of the 61 million electorate participated, a record low turnout for the Islamic Republic, and that more than one million ballots were invalid.

The elections were scheduled for 2025 but were moved forward after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.