Iranians Vote for New Parliament

Iranians went to the polls Friday in a new parliamentary vote, the first in the country since the disputed 2009 reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the mass protests and crackdown that ensued. More than 48 million people are eligible at the 47,000 polling stations set up, but some of Ahmadinejad’s supporters are reportedly asking voters to stay away. The opposition Green Movement is not taking part this year, with many of its leaders under house arrest or in jail. The results of the elections are unlikely to effect Iran’s stance on its controversial nuclear program—the topic of which is expected to dominate talks between President Obama and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Official results are expected on Sunday or Monday.