The Mullahs, who are rabidly anti-Israel, anti-American, and anti-freedom, control the elections, and control the army. They decide the elections, just like Chicago politicians have for decades. All the pre-electorial stuff was just BS for the consumption of the gullible. There was no hope for a free election or the election of anyone not toeing the hard line.
What we are seeing is the meltdown of Iran.
They are the power behind the throne.