Iranian President Rafsanjani Heads to Victory in Polls
Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani headed to victory over token challengers Friday as voters were urged to flock to the polls to show support for their Islamic leadership.
But Rafsanjani in his second term will probably confront the same problems he has faced before: a crumbling economy, uncompromising Muslim hard-liners and rebel violence.
Iran’s main dissident group reported it carried out a bomb attack on a giant oil refinery Friday--a claim quickly denied by the government.
As polls opened, the Iraq-based Mujahedeen Khalq claimed its fighters sabotaged the Abadan oil complex in southwestern Iran.
The rebels have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks, seeking to disrupt the elections. They called on Iranians not to vote.
But throughout the capital, voters were seen waiting in line at polling stations.
Rafsanjani’s victory was a foregone conclusion, since none of his three challengers has any widespread support or a precise platform.
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