Iran Confirms Rafsanjani's Election Victory

Former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a moderate conservative, garnered more than 1.5 million votes, which is the most of any candidate.

Rafsanjani is a fierce opponent of hard-line President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, and his victory is regarded by observers as a setback for the president.

Ahmadinejad's spiritual mentor, Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, is in sixth place with close to 900,000 votes. However he has enough votes to retain a seat in the 86-member clerical body.

(IRNA, dpa)