Why the world is watching Iran's election

London

IRAN'S landmark presidential election on Friday could have hugely significant implications for the country and the world beyond. At the centre of the contest are differing views over incumbent President Hassan Rouhani's signature accomplishment: the 2015 landmark nuclear accord, and his wider advocacy of economic and political re-engagement with Western powers.

While he is widely seen internationally as a modest favourite for re-election - not least because all Iranian presidents have won a second term since 1981 - this is by no means assured. Mr Rouhani is most likely to prevail if he can win big - securing more than 50 per cent of votes - on Friday and thus emerge victorious in the first ballot, as in 2013. However, if a second-round run-off is needed between the two strongest-performing candidates, more conservative opponents of the president could join forces to try to best him.