The presidential election of 1989 and the victory of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani; the day the Republic took on a new face

Thirty-two years later, on August 16, 1985, the fourth presidential election of Iran was held, and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was elected president with approximately 14 million votes.

This day, in appearance, was an ordinary election; but in practice, it was a point at which the Islamic Republic took on a new face. Hashemi, who until then was known as one of the key figures of the revolution and the war, now came to power through the people's votes; not through a coup or force.

This day showed that in the Islamic Republic, one can come to power both through force (as on August 19, 1953) and through the people's votes (as on August 16, 1985).