Iran's presidential candidates, reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative Saeed Jalili clashed over foreign policy during their first debate ahead of the runoff election in Tehran on Monday.

Pezeshkian said that the country needed to strengthen its ties both in the region and internationally, stating: "We can live in a cage, close the door, and have no relations with the world but we will have a poor life. Anyway, if we want to progress in the world, the more we expand our ties the better we can live. First, we start with our neighbors then we go farther as much as we can."

For his part, Jalili said that Tehran should expand its' ties, claiming the country has limited its international relations with s select number of countries.

"There are more than two or three countries," he said. "Our foreign relations were limited to a few powers that had the most disagreements with you. There are 200 countries in the world. How are opportunities made? From the points of commonality."

Pezeshkian then challenged his opponent's plans to securing a nuclear deal with the United States, questioning the conservative on his plans for talks with Washington.

"[The US] has confirmed you have fulfilled all your commitments 15 times and it not only had not fulfilled [the US's] obligation but also withdrew from it. What should you do now? You should be demanding,"

"I know. What are you going to do?" Pezeshkian repeated.

Jalili responded: "If [the US] wants the deal and says let's resume it, it should first fulfill its commitments."

The results from the first round of the election show that Pezeshkiyan received 42 percent of the vote, while Jalili garnered 39 percent. The second round of the election is scheduled for 5 July.

The election was held a year ahead of schedule due to the 19 May helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in the northwestern mountains.