Epic presence in elections breaks sanctions, fights terrorism: Defense minister

Dehqan made the remarks here on Friday after casting his votes for the 12th presidential and fifth city and village councils elections.

He further described the May 19 event as the repetition of the lasting epics happened at the time of the eight-year holy defense during Iraqi-imposed war against Iran in 1980-88.

He underlined that at that time the Iranian nation was the main winner, and the hegemonic system the main loser.

Iran's presidential election is being held nationwide and in 102 countries.

Some 570 international journalists from 42 countries are covering the event in Iran.

According to reports, over 56 million of Iranians are eligible to go to the polls. Out of the total eligible voters over 1.3 million are those who vote for the first time.

The presidential candidates include President Hassan Rouhani, Custodian of the Imam Reza (AS) Holy Shrine Ebrahim Raeisi, former minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mostafa Aqa Mirsalim and former minister of Physical Education Mostafa Hashemi Taba.

First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri and Mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf were other presidential candidates who quitted the presidential race to support their favorite candidates (Rouhani and Raeisi, respectively).

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of votes cast, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff election on May 26.

1483**2050