BBC News published this video item, entitled “Iran votes for new President with reformists barred from standing – BBC News” – below is their description.
People in Iran have been voting for a new president with the country facing big challenges, from the pandemic, to an economic crisis, soaring inflation and continuing US sanctions.
It’s thought likely that the winner will be a hardline candidate, with close links to Ayatollah Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader.
Ebrahim Raisi is head of the judiciary and a religious conservative, who’s led crackdowns on popular protest and demands for reform. Many more-moderate candidates have been barred from standing.
The election comes at a delicate time, with hopes that Iran will return to the deal that restricted its nuclear programme.
Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.
BBC News YouTube Channel
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About This Source - BBC News
The video item below is a piece of English language content from BBC News. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster funded by the UK Government, and British license fee payers. Its headquarters are at Broadcasting House in Westminster, London.
In economics, inflation refers to a general progressive increase in prices of goods and services in an economy. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation corresponds to a reduction in the purchasing power of money.
Iran, also called Persia, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. Its central location in Eurasia and proximity to the Strait of Hormuz give it significant geostrategic importance. Tehran is the capital and largest city.
Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, beginning with the formation of the Elamite kingdoms in the fourth millennium BC. The Iranian Revolution established the current Islamic Republic in 1979.
Iran’s political system combines elements of a presidential democracy and an Islamic theocracy. Iran is a founding member of the UN, ECO, OIC, and OPEC. It is a major regional and middle power and has large reserves of fossil fuels — including the world’s largest natural gas supply and the third largest proven oil reserves.
The country’s rich cultural legacy is reflected in part by its 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Historically a multi-ethnic country, Iran remains a pluralistic society comprising numerous ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups, the largest being Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Mazandaranis and Lurs.