 What's more, Vakil says, presidential powers are limited in Iran. Foreign policy is directed by the Supreme National Security Council, where the president has a seat. Domestic policies are shaped by consensus with the cabinet and parliament. He doesn't have independent influence, and all of the sort of policies and decision-making is very consensus-based and requires the supreme leader's sort of blessing. And perhaps that gets to the heart of why many potential voters in Iran say they won't go to the polls.