Iranians have begun voting in parliamentary elections in the first national election since last year’s historic nuclear agreement that lifted some international sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear activities.

Some 55 million Iranians are registered to cast ballots for members of the conservative-dominated 290-seat parliament as well as the 88-member Assembly of Experts. The Assembly monitors the work of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on Iran’s foreign policy.

While Iranians are voting for lawmakers, the outcome of the vote could be interpreted as a comment on the level of support for the policies of President Hassan Rouhani, who is up for re-election next year. Rouhani has made the nuclear agreement a key objective of his administration.

Most reformist candidates have been barred from the election by a hardline vetting body.
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