They said the results send a clear signal that Iranians want an end to the conservatives' grip on power. But what happens next is uncertain. The election results must be certified by Iran's conservative Guardian Council. The council has yet to certify results from February's elections for Tehran, in which reformists reportedly captured 29 out of 30 seats. The watchdog body has also changed the results of 11 other first-round races.
Reformists say that in all the cases, the changes worked against their candidates.
Reformists have faced other serious setbacks over the last two weeks. Several prominent journalists have also been arrested and imprisoned. Memories of another press attack resurfaced earlier this week, with the opening of a trial against suspects in the March shooting of prominent journalist Saeed Hajjarian. Mr. Hajjarian is slowly recovering. Two of the suspects, who confessed to the assault, denied any political ties.