INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian leader Vladimir Putin congratulated Iran's reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian on his victory in a presidential runoff, the
Kremlin said on Saturday."I hope that your tenure as president will contribute to a reinforcement of constructive bilateral cooperation
between our friendly peoples," Putin said in a message to Pezeshkian.The two countries, the target of stiff Western sanctions, can
"coordinate efforts to resolve international issues in a constructive manner," he said.Pezeshkian received more than 16 million votes,
around 54%, while his rival, ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, took more than 13 million, roughly 44%, out of about 30 million votes cast in
the second round.An election was not due until 2025 but was called early after the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a
helicopter crash.Four candidates ran in the first round held on June 28.
