Iranian voters on Friday cast their ballots to select the successor to outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who occupied the presidency for 2 consecutive terms and can not run for the post anymore, as the law stipulates. The polls opened while Iran is facing heavy pressure from economic sanctions imposed by the US and the West and world reaction to its nuclear program. In an interview broadcast live on the national channel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged all Iranians to go to the polls, saying that their decision will determine the country’s future.

Candidates race for Iran's next president. (Photo: ISNA/VOV)

Iran’s Interior Ministry said 50.5 million Iranians are eligible to vote for 1 of 6 candidates. The polls are scheduled to open for 10 hours, then the ministry will consider whether to lengthen them or not depending on the situation.