In the aftermath of Iran’s July 5 presidential runoff and 'reformist' candidate Masoud Pezeshkian's ascent to the presidency, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi has voiced strong criticism of 'reformists' in general and the newly elected president.

“Masoud Pezeshkian, a candidate close to reformists, became the President in an election where the majority of people did not participate,” she wrote in a post on Instagram on Saturday, highlighting the historically low voter turnout.

Ebadi asserted that Pezeshkian has assumed office amid a backdrop of political and security puzzles following the death of hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19. She added that Pezeshkian’s presidency is “another step for a third defeat of reformists,” referring to the failures of the two previous 'reformist' presidents, Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, to address the country's woes.

She questioned whether the 'reformists' will now address the concerns of Iranians. Ebadi raised issues such as whether internet restrictions would be lifted or further tightened, and addressed the dire working conditions of workers across multiple sectors in Iran struggling to make ends meet. She further asked whether the quality of life, particularly for impoverished ethnic minorities in Iran's eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province and Kurdistan province in the northwest, would improve, and if the country's resources would be better managed to ensure adequate water in southwestern Khuzestan province are addressed.

"The reformists and moderates entered the political arena to salvage the regime," Ebadi concluded underscoring that without fundamental changes, “the will of the people” could become a powerful force that challenges and potentially dismantles the Islamic Republic.