Iranians are today voting in elections in an exercise widely expected to result in a more hardline parliament loyal to the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
It is the first poll since the US renewed sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, battering its economy.
Thousands of moderate would-be candidates were barred from running for not meeting strict election criteria, and the field of candidates running is dominated by conservatives and hardliners.
According to the Atlantic Council, more than 15,000 people applied to run for parliament, but 7,296 were disqualified by the Guardian Council — including some sitting members of parliament and many moderate candidates.
The outcome is likely to politically weaken President Hassan Rouhani, who is seen as a relative moderate. Observers say the Iranian authorities will be hoping for a high voter turnout as a sign of support for the regime.
More than 7,000 candidates are competing for 290 seats in the parliament, known as the Majlis.
