Iran state media: Moderate bloc wins more seats in runoff
By Associated Press
Apr 30, 2016 2:31 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) — Iran's moderate-reformist bloc secured more than 30 more seats in parliamentary runoff elections, according to a Saturday report on state TV.

The bloc, which supports President Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal the country reached with world powers last summer, will have to dominate the remaining unannounced seats in order to secure an outright majority in the 290-seat legislature.

State TV on Saturday morning announced winners for 60 of the remaining 68 seats being contested. Among them there are 32 moderate-reformist candidates, with the rest divided between hard-liners and independent candidates.

Final results are expected later on Saturday.

In February, the moderate-reformist bloc dominated the vote in Tehran, securing all 30 seats there. But their support is less dominant outside the capital.

The bloc needs to win 40 seats in the runoffs to control the parliament, which will begin its work in late May.