Saturday 27 February 2016

Reformists leading in Iran parliament vote

Iranians line up for voting in parliamentary elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Reformists and moderate conservatives are leading in the race for parliament according to early election results, an indication President Hassan Rouhani may face a more friendly house to pursue his domestic agenda.

Early returns Saturday morning from Friday's parliamentary polls show that none of the three competing political factions will win a majority alone in the 290-seat parliament but reformists seeking greater democratic changes are heading to win their strongest presence in parliament since 2004 at the expense of hard-liners.


Officials are yet to release early results but reports in the semiofficial Fars and Mehr news agencies and a count conducted by The Associated Press show that hard-liners are the main losers of the vote.

Friday's election for Iran's parliament and a powerful clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts was the first since Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers last year.

(AP)
Iranians fill out their ballots in parliamentary elections at a polling station in downtown Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians fill out their ballots in parliamentary elections at a polling station in downtown Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians line up for voting in parliamentary elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians line up for voting in parliamentary elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. 
Iran's Parliament speaker Ali Larijani casts his ballot during parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iran's Parliament speaker Ali Larijani casts his ballot during parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. 
An Iranian woman displays her ink-stained finger after voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian woman displays her ink-stained finger after voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian voters, left, arrive at a polling station to vote for their country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections as election staff receive them in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters, left, arrive at a polling station to vote for their country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections as election staff receive them in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
An Iranian woman votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian woman votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian election workers await voters in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian election workers await voters in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian voters, left, arrive at a polling station to vote for their country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections as election staff receive them in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters, left, arrive at a polling station to vote for their country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections as election staff receive them in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, casts his ballot in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, casts his ballot in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
An Iranian woman votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
An Iranian woman votes in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women stand in line at a polling station during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian women stand in line at a polling station during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani waves to media after casting his vote for parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Tehran, Iran Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani waves to media after casting his vote for parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Tehran, Iran Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei casts his ballot during parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Tehran, Iran Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei casts his ballot during parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in Tehran, Iran Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
A group of Iranian voters fill out their ballots as the others queue for getting ballot papers during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
A group of Iranian voters fill out their ballots as the others queue for getting ballot papers during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranians line up for voting in parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranians line up for voting in parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani casts his ballot for parliamentary elections in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani casts his ballot for parliamentary elections in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, and his wife Hamideh Moravej Farshi cast their ballots at a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, and his wife Hamideh Moravej Farshi cast their ballots at a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranians queue for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranians queue for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
An Iranian elderly woman makes her way after receiving ballot papers to vote for the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
An Iranian elderly woman makes her way after receiving ballot papers to vote for the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranian voters queue for getting ballot papers during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters queue for getting ballot papers during the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranians vote in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections at a polling station in Qom, 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Polls opened Friday in Iran's parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian voters fill out their ballots during the country's parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader. 
Iranians line up for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranians line up for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections outside a polling station in central Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Iranian men, left, and women, right, queue for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians across the Islamic Republic voted Friday in the country's first election since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers, deciding whether to further empower its moderate president or side with hard-liners long suspicious of the West. The election for Iran's parliament and a clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts hinges on both the policies of President Hassan Rouhani, as well as Iranians worries about the country's economy, long battered by international sanctions.
Iranian men, left, and women, right, queue for voting in the parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections in a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians across the Islamic Republic voted Friday in the country's first election since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers, deciding whether to further empower its moderate president or side with hard-liners long suspicious of the West. The election for Iran's parliament and a clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts hinges on both the policies of President Hassan Rouhani, as well as Iranians worries about the country's economy, long battered by international sanctions.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, and his wife Hamideh Moravej Farshi cast their ballots at a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.
Head of the reformists' coalition list of the Iranian parliamentary elections in Tehran Mohammad Reza Aref, center, and his wife Hamideh Moravej Farshi cast their ballots at a polling station in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Iranians were voting on Friday in parliamentary elections, the country's first since its landmark nuclear deal with world powers last summer. At the same time as parliamentary elections, Iranians are also voting for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body empowered to choose or dismiss the country's supreme leader.