Rohani "gematigde" kandidaat in Iran

Iranian reformists led by former President Mohammad Khatami have endorsed Hassan Rohani, the lone moderate contesting Friday's election for the presidency, held by hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the past eight years.

Within Iran's complex mix of clerical rulers and elected officials, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on big issues like Tehran's disputed nuclear program and its support for President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war.

But the next president may at least change the style of Iran's dealings with the world after fiery populist Ahmadinejad steps down in August. He will also be an important adviser to Khamenei and take charge of trying to fix an economy battered by international sanctions, mismanagement and corruption.