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All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.
All six approved candidates in Iran's presidential election onstage in Tehran on May 5 for the second of the three live debates. The election is set for May 19.

Live Blog: Iran's Final Presidential Debate

* The six candidates approved for Iran's strictly vetted presidential ballot are appearing for the last of three live televised debates before the May 19 election. The topic is economics.

* Iranian President Hassan Rohani is seeking a second four-year term. His main challenges from the conservative side are expected to come from cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. (Read profiles of the candidates.)

* The official campaign period ends on May 17, two days before voting in the first round of a possible two-round election. If no candidate gets more than half of the vote, the second round would be held on May 26.

* Official media put the number of eligible voters at around 55 million.

* In the first debate, the candidates clashed over Rohani's record on job creation. In the second debate, Rohani's conservative rivals accused him of having failed to "cash the check" from the 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Tehran (GMT +4 1/2)

14:04 28.4.2017

Qalibaf is asked about environmental problems. He says Iran is facing a real environmental crisis. He says dust is a major problem.

14:14 28.4.2017

Jahangiri defends the government environmental policies, attacks Qalibaf, saying after 12 years of Qalibaf's term as mayor, the rubbish in the capital is still not being recycled.

14:16 28.4.2017

Here is the video of the clash between Rohani and Qalibaf:

14:18 28.4.2017

Raisi says the environment is very important, he says the environment can be used to create jobs. He also said water management is an important issue.

14:24 28.4.2017

Qalibaf to Rohani and Jahangiri: You are the government of 4%. He accuses the government of not being aware of people's issue.

14:25 28.4.2017

Qalibaf says the rubbish in the capital is being used to generate electricity.

14:30 28.4.2017

Candidates took a 15-minute break. We will be back after the break. Stay with us.

14:53 28.4.2017

Here is the video of one of the key moments in the debate, Jahangiri criticizing the marginalization of the reformists " You've deprived a movement -- the reformists -- of all their rights. You don't even want them to have a representative in the elections. I've come as the candidate of the reformists, to use all the opportunities to highlight what some have done to them," Jahangiri said.

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14:59 28.4.2017

Debate resumes. Rohani is being asked about employment of women. He says the government has created about 700,000 jobs for women.

15:11 28.4.2017

Raisi is asked a question about sports. He says investment is needed in professional sports, he says sports should become a source of revenue.

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