Iranian people 'losing their patience', top Sunni cleric warns Pezeshkian

Iran's top Sunni cleric Mowlavi Abdolhamid has warned president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian that Iranians are "exhausted" and are losing patience with the country's ongoing issues.

Mowlavi Abdolhamid, who abstained from voting in Iran's presidential election this year, highlighted the "disgust" among the public, demonstrated by the record-low turnout in the first round of the votes.

The June 28 presidential election saw a voter turnout of 39.92%, the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic. In the runoff votes held on July 5, the official figures showed a 10-percent rise in the number of voters, but still over 50 percent of eligible voters boycotted the election.

This significant absence signals a stark "discontent" with unbalanced and inconsistent governmental policies, Abdulhamid said, according to a readout of his speech published by Halvash human rights organization.

The top Sunni cleric said the nation, "overwhelmed" by political, economic, and social pressures, and where the lower classes feel "crushed," will persist in its demands for "justice" and "freedom."

Abdolhamid, expressing deep concern over the political stalemate and lack of representation for the Sunni and Baluch communities, described the situation as a "deadlock," underscoring the need for a profound shift in public sentiment away from traditional conservative and reformist politics. Despite his reservations, he acknowledged Pezeshkian's “victory.”

Known for his forthright opposition to the government, especially after the crackdown in Zahedan on September 30, 2022, Abdolhamid has faced risks and criticism for his stance against the Supreme Leader's policies, especially regarding the treatment of protestors.

His advocacy for ending executions and harsh decrees has positioned him as a contentious figure, facing accusations from conservative factions of aiding the "enemies" of Iran.