Iran's moderates emerge from runoff with most seats
By Associated Press
Apr 30, 2016 8:43 AM CDT
FILE - In this April 17, 2016 file photo, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives for a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran. Iranian state TV says that the moderate-reformist bloc has secured more than 20 more seats in parliamentary runoff elections,...   (Associated Press)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian moderates and reformists who support President Hassan Rouhani and last year's landmark nuclear deal have failed to secure a majority after parliamentary runoff elections but will retain the most seats in the assembly.

State TV announced the results for all of the contested seats on Saturday, the day after the runoff was held.

Thirty-seven seats were won by moderates or reformists. The bloc needed to win 40 for an outright majority in the 290-seat chamber.

The moderates and reformists will have 143 seats in the assembly, making them the largest bloc, followed by hard-liners and independents.

Hardliners will have 86 and independents will have 61. Twenty-two hard-liners and nine independents won seats in the runoff.

The assembly will convene next month, after a constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, confirms the results.