Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani surprises analysts by scoring a huge lead over his conservative rivals as votes added up in the Iranian presidential election.<br/> <br />As votes stacked up and passed the half way count half of electoral count Rohani was above 50 percent ..<br/> <br />Rohani's nearest rival was conservative Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a long way behind with less than 20 percent of the vote.<br/> <br />A former chief nuclear negotiator, Rohani is believed to be more conciliatory than the outgoing firebrand, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.<br/> <br />Overall the outcome is unlikely to radically alter Iran's international relations nor lead to a shift in the Islamic Republic's policy on its disputed nuclear programme.<br/> <br />Speaking on Saturday, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that whatever the result of the election, it would be a vote of confidence in the 34-year-old Islamic Republic.
