Vote counting has started in Iran, where tens of millions cast their ballots in the country's first elections since last year's nuclear deal. The polls are seen as a test of support for President Hassan Rouhani against conservatives opposed to easing tensions with Western powers.
Voting for the two elections for parliament and the Assembly of Experts, a deliberative body of Islamic theologians, saw heavy turnout on Friday. So heavy that authorities extended the polling five times for a total of almost six hours. Nearly 55 million of Iran's 80 million people are eligible to vote. The final results are expected to be announced in a week.