24 February

Conservative hardliners have won about 70 percent of the seats in Iran's parliament following Friday's vote.

The country's interior ministry announced the result as ballot counting ended on Sunday.

More than 210 of 290 seats were taken by conservative hardliners who campaigned to stand up against the United States.

Reformists and moderates who support President Hassan Rouhani won about 20 seats.

Rouhani, who prefers dialogue with the international community, and his supporters, face a series of challenges.

Iran's economy has worsened under sanctions imposed by the US after Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Voter turnout was just over 42 percent, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed foreign media reports for dissuading Iranians from heading to the polls by over-stressing the threat of the new coronavirus.

But many voters said they chose not to vote because they were dissatisfied and disillusioned with their government.

NHK