Leader congratulates Iranians, president-elect

(MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has expressed his gratitude to the Iranian people for their massive turnout in the June 14 presidential as well as city and village council elections.

According to Press TV, In a message on Saturday, the Leader also congratulated Hassan Rohani on his victory in the presidential ballot.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Friday’s elections were yet another landmark test which showed the Iranian nation’s determination to friends and foes alike.

The huge voter turnout on Friday showed off the strong bond between Iranians and the Islamic establishment to all ill-wishers who have resorted to “hundreds of political, economic and security ploys” to undermine the trust and affinity between the nation and the Islamic system, added Ayatollah Khamenei.

“The real winner of yesterday’s (Friday, June 14) election is the great Iranian nation which … prudently and tactfully confronted the war of nerves launched by the lackeys of (global) hegemony,” the Leader underlined.

Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the president-elect is the president of all Iranians, adding cooperation and friendship should replace the rivalry of the campaign days.

The Leader also thanked all other presidential candidates for entering the scene, and said their participation contributed to the electoral fervor and creation of an exciting competition.

Hassan Rohani emerged victorious in Iran's 11th presidential election marked by a high voter turnout.

Rohani won 50.7 percent of a total of 36,704,156 valid ballots counted, with 18,613,329 votes, announced Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar on Saturday.

Rohani currently represents the Leader in the Supreme National Security Council, and is a member of the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts. He is also President of the Expediency Council's Center for Strategic Research.