Iranian Supreme Leader's Brother Supports Moderate Candidate

Hadi Khamenei

A younger brother of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has endorsed moderate presidential candidate Hassan Rohani.

The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on June 12 quoted Hadi Khamenei as calling on Iran's people to "prevent the country from falling into the trap of radicalism" by casting their ballots for Rohani in the June 14 election.

Former Iranian Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani have also lent their support to Rohani.

In a related story, Ayatollah Khamenei on June 12 urged Iranians to vote.

He said a large turnout would "disappoint the enemy, make it reduce pressures and follow another path."

Khamenei said even people who do not support the Islamic republic should vote "to support their country."

June 12 was the last day of campaigning for the presidential election.

Based on reporting by ISNA and Reuters