Accessibility links

Breaking News
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)

12:07 12.5.2017

Here we go!

12:18 12.5.2017

VP Jahangiri gets the first question. He's asked about smuggling of goods, which he says has decreased under Rohani.

12:19 12.5.2017

Jahangiri says candidates are just repeating empty slogans.

12:21 12.5.2017

Jahangiri asks Raisi about what he has done as a former top judiciary official to counter smuggling of goods and corruption.

12:23 12.5.2017

Jahangiri doesn't lose time, he goes on the offensive pretty quickly.

12:24 12.5.2017

Raisi fights back.

12:28 12.5.2017

Qalibaf says the government has not been stopping smuggling. He tells Jahangiri he can't fight smuggling and corruption while receiving billions in bonuses.

12:32 12.5.2017

Rohani says it's important to look at the roots of the issue. He emphasizes on free competition, says Iran needs an e-government in order to be transparent.

12:35 12.5.2017

An angry Jahangiri tells Raisi the government reduced smuggling from $25 billion in 2013 to half within 3 years. He blames the previous government for the high rate of smuggling.

12:36 12.5.2017

Jahangiri accuses Qalibaf of lying.

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG