 ...turned politician who has promised to build bridges not just with Iran's neighbors, but with the dissatisfied Iranians who have been suffering under harsh U.S. sanctions, coupled with corruption and repression at home. Only 40% of voters turned out in the first round of the contest. However, facing a stark choice between a hardline candidate and the more moderate Mr. Peseshkian in the second round, many more Iranians decided to vote, pushing turnout to 49%.