Voting ends in Iran amid tensions over nuclear program

[FarCenter]

Polls have closed in Iran's parliamentary election amid claims of a huge voter turnout. Tensions over the country's nuclear program mounted, meanwhile, as the US president warned against a pre-emptive strike.

Parliamentary elections in Iran ended late Friday after almost 16 hours of voting. Iran's Interior Ministry reported that polling stations required a five-hour extension after being bombarded by huge voter turnout and finally closed at 11 p.m. local time (1930 GMT). Local witnesses have, however, questioned the regime's turnout claims.

Earlier on Friday the country's supreme leader called on voters to demonstrate national unity during a period of international tension by showing up to cast their ballots.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15784617,00.html