Preliminary results suggested Rouhani was on track to defeat Ebrahim Raisi, winning about 57 percent to Raisi’s 39 percent, with almost 40 million votes counted, according to state-run Press TV.

Voters cast their ballots in Tehran on May 19, 2017. ( Photo: VNA)

Final results are expected later on Saturday. A victory for Rouhani would strengthen his domestic mandate to integrate Iran with the global economy.