Rouhani: Iranian Voters Chose Right, Proper Path

Local Editor

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the voters, who chose "the right and proper path for the country".

Rouhani's statement came on Tuesday after final election results showed his allies had made significant gains.

Friday's twin elections - to parliament and to the Assembly of Experts - were crucial for the president and a de-facto referendum on his administration after its nuclear deal with world powers.

"The owners of this country are the people... they determine the path and direction of this country," the Iranian president said.

He further stated: "I thank our intelligent and brave people who have taken a step forward," at an auto industry conference in Tehran.

Buoyed by new backing from reformists supportive of the government, the president urged a spirit of cooperation among MPs from across Iran's political spectrum.

"If there are still some who think that the country must be in confrontation with others, they still haven't got the message of 2013," he said.

No single group won a decisive share of parliament's 290 seats, but tallies suggested the pragmatic Rouhani would be able to forge a working majority.

"Cooperation should be everyone's concern. Today the era of confrontation is over," Rouhani added.

Friday's second election for the Assembly of Experts also produced high-profile gains for Rouhani and his closest allies.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team