Hassan Rouhani

Khamenei called on citizens to vote as soon as possible, stating that, as he said, "both friends and enemies of Iran are watching the turnout," reports Arab News. "Make your friends happy and make your enemies hopeless," Khamenei added.
Preliminary results of the Iranian elections are expected on Saturday.

Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday ruled out the holding of popular referendums on state policies.

Iran faced calls for a referendum on the Islamic Republic itself during anti-government protests last year, and a moderate former president recently suggested such votes should be held to decide major policies as a way of reducing divisions.

Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday insisted negotiations over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal "are going ahead properly," even after repeated comments by American officials that an agreement to restore the accord may not happen.

Iran's new ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi said Tehran backs any diplomatic moves to lift U.S. sanctions but will not bow to pressure, as he took the oath of office on Aug. 5.

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In a Wednesday telephone call, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with Hassan Rouhani, his Iranian counterpart, now in his final days in office.

The leaders exchanged greetings for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Turkey's Communications Directorate said.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi said on June 21 he will not allow nuclear negotiations for the sake of negotiations, in his first news conference since winning election last week.

Congratulations poured in for ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi on June 19 on winning Iran's presidential election as his rivals conceded even before official results were announced.

Raisi won 62 percent of the  votes counted so far, officials said.

Two Iranian political heavyweights, ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi and moderate conservative Ali Larijani, on May 15 launched what may be the main battle in next month's presidential election.

Iran's state television reported on May 12 that the country's former firebrand president will run again for office in upcoming elections in June.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly marched accompanied by supporters to a registration center at the Interior Ministry where he filled out registration forms.

There is no way that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could have intended to insult Iran's territorial integrity, Iran's president said on Dec. 14. 

In a press conference, Hassan Rouhani said that "based on my past knowledge of Mr. Erdoğan, it is very unlikely that he had any intention of insulting our territorial integrity or insulting the Iranian people."