Moderates and reformists in Iran appear to have dealt a blow to hardliners in the election to the Assembly of Experts, winning 15 of the 16 seats in Teheran. The 88-member Assembly elects the supreme leader who rules for a term of eight years and generally has a longer influence on politics in the country. The elections assume significance since the present Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 76 and has suffered ill-health, which means the present Assembly will have to elect a new leader. The election held along with parliamentary polls has strengthened the hands of President Hassan Rouhani who is credited with striking the nuclear deal with the US to bring Iran out of the cold. Sanctions were lifted but only economic reform can improve the living condition of ordinary Iranians and fulfill their aspirations.
