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Iran's interior minister said President Hassan Rohani -- seen casting his ballot on May 19 -- won reelection with around 57 percent of the vote, easily avoiding a runoff.
Iran's interior minister said President Hassan Rohani -- seen casting his ballot on May 19 -- won reelection with around 57 percent of the vote, easily avoiding a runoff.

Live Blog: Rohani Declared Winner Of Iran Vote

Updated

-- Iranian officials have declared President Hassan Rohani winner of the May 19 vote with around 57 percent of ballots, easily avoiding a runoff against conservative former prosecutor Ebrahim Raisi, who was said to have received about 38.5 percent of votes cast.

-- In a victory speech, Rohani said the Iranian people were the "real victors" of the election and that Iran had chosen "engagement with the world" in voting for him, rejecting extremism. But as Rohani knows very well, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds ultimate political, military, and religious power in Iran, and can easily derail a campaign or thwart the plans of a president.

-- Six men were approved to run by the Guardians Council from more than 1,600 applicants, but it quickly boiled down to a two-man race between Raisi and Rohani, an establishment veteran who oversaw a breakthrough nuclear deal with world powers to ease sanctions and pushed for engagement with the West and greater openness for Iranians.

-- Raisi has long been talked about as a possible successor to Khamenei, and it's unclear what effect a landslide loss might have on his political ambitions.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Tehran (GMT +4 1/2)

19:24 20.5.2017

People in Tehran are taking to the streets to celebrate Rohani's reelection:

18:43 20.5.2017

Rohani said Iranians have chosen the path of engagement with the world:

18:33 20.5.2017

Rohani says he will work to achieve his promises:

18:30 20.5.2017

That was quick:

18:25 20.5.2017

Rohani says Iran is ready to expand its ties with the world based on respect and its national interests.

18:24 20.5.2017

I'm the president of all Iranians, and I need their help, says Rohani. I reached out to all Iranians, even those who oppose me., he added.

18:23 20.5.2017

Rohani thanked former reformist President Mohammad Khatami who faces a media ban:

18:20 20.5.2017

President Rohani says Iranian people are the real winners of the election. Freedom and independence are the winners, he says.

18:17 20.5.2017

Rohani praises Iranian people:

18:15 20.5.2017

Happening now:

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