Iran election

Iran election: Hassan Rouhani says voters rejected extremism

After avoiding a run-off with a 57% outright victory over his main rival, Mr Rouhani said he respected the opponents' right to criticise him.

Mr Rouhani, 68, supports the landmark deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme.

The decisive victory gives him a strong mandate to seek reforms and revive the country's ailing economy, analysts say.

"The Iranian nation has chosen the path of interaction with the world, a path which is distant from extremism and violence," Mr Rouhani said in first speech after the victory, broadcast on state television.