Polls open in Iran's first presidential vote since atomic deal

Polls open in Iran's first presidential vote since atomic deal

Iranians began voting Friday in the country's first presidential election since its nuclear deal with world powers, as incumbent Hassan Rouhani faced a staunch challenge from a hard-line opponent over hThe election is largely viewed as a referendum on the 68-year-old cleric's more moderate policies, which paved the way for the nuclear accord despite opposition from hard-liners.
Economic issues also will be on the minds of Iran's over 56 million eligible voters as they head to more than 63,000 polling places across the country. The average Iranian has yet to see the benefits of the deal, which saw Iran limit its contested nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the most powerful man in Iran, symbolically cast the election's first vote and called on Iranians to turn out in huge numbers for the poll.
"Elections are very important and the fate of the country is in the hands of all people," he said.
After casting his ballot, Rouhani said whomever the voters elect as president should receive all of the nation's support.
"Any candidate who is elected should be helped to accomplish this heavy responsibility," Rouhani said. "Anyone who is elected must be helped from tomorrow with unity, happiness and joy."
Rouhani has history on his side. No incumbent president has failed to win re-election since 1981, when Khamenei became president himselfis outreach to the wider world.