Hassan Rouhani has been re-elected as Iran's 12th President with a thumping majority. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli confirmed the result on state television, saying Rouhani has won 57 percent compared to 38.3 percent of votes for hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi. <br/><br/>It followed a huge 73 percent turnout yesterday which forced authorities to extend polling by several hours. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, has come to embody more liberal and reform-minded Iranians' hopes for greater political freedom at home and better relations with the outside world.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Rouhani's main challenger Ebrahim Raisi lodged complaints about alleged voting irregularities. Mr Raisi accused supporters of Mr Rouhani of acts of propaganda at voting booths, which are banned under electoral law.

Hassan Rouhani has been re-elected as Iran's 12th President with a thumping majority. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli confirmed the result on state television, saying Rouhani has won 57 percent compared to 38.3 percent of votes for hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi. <br/><br/>It followed a huge 73 percent turnout yesterday which forced authorities to extend polling by several hours. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, has come to embody more liberal and reform-minded Iranians' hopes for greater political freedom at home and better relations with the outside world.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Rouhani's main challenger Ebrahim Raisi lodged complaints about alleged voting irregularities. Mr Raisi accused supporters of Mr Rouhani of acts of propaganda at voting booths, which are banned under electoral law.