Elections In Iran

He won some 62.6% of the vote in an election marked by a high turnout of 85%, official figures show.
Supporters of pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi have cried foul and clashed with riot police in Tehran, while public protests have been banned.

Iran's Supreme Leader congratulated Mr Ahmadinejad on his win, and urged his rivals against "provocations".
In a statement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the high turnout and described the count as a "real celebration" and called for calm in the aftermath of the result.

As President Obama delivered his address to the Muslim world in Cairo last week, two pivotal Middle East elections loomed in Lebanon and Iran. The timing of Obama's speech was impeccable, from that standpoint, several days before Lebanon's (held over the weekend), and roughly a week before Iran's (to be held Friday), in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will seek to retain power against rivals that have criticized his foreign policy and handling of the country's nuclear program.The Iranian election is perhaps more important for the U.S.: Iran is seen as the leader of an axis in Middle East politics, holding influence over its Syrian and Hezbollah allies. Iran's nuclear program is a growing worry both for Israel and many Arab states--it's a major issue in Middle East foreign policy.