Presidential elections were held in Iran on 23 May 1997, which resulted in an unpredicted win for the reformist candidate Mohammad Khatami. The election was notable not only for the lopsided majority of the winner - 70% - but for the high turnout. 80% of those eligible to vote did so, compared to 50% in the previous presidential election.

Azam Taleghani was an Iranian politician and journalist who was the head of the Society of Islamic Revolution Women of Iran, editor of Payam-e-Hajar weekly, and a member of the Iranian parliament.