DUBAI—Iran on Feb. 23 announced turnout in its parliamentary election was about 43 percent, the lowest rate since the 1979 Islamic revolution, while its top leader claimed that Tehran’s enemies played up the new coronavirus threat to dissuade people from voting.
With Iran facing growing isolation and threats of conflict over its nuclear standoff with the United States and increasing discontent at home, the turnout is seen as a referendum on the popularity of the Islamic republic’s rulers.
