Partial election results in Iran on Saturday point to major gains by reformists and moderates who favour...

Partial election results in Iran on Saturday point to major gains by reformists and moderates who favour expanding freedoms and engaging with the West, and who defended the recently implemented nuclear deal with world powers against opposition from hard-liners.

Friday’s election was the first since last summer’s agreement was finalized, lifting international economic sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program. U.S. officials had hoped the deal would strengthen President Hassan Rohani and other moderates, paving the way for greater cooperation on other regional issues.

Reports in the semi-official Fars and Mehr news agencies showed hard-liners losing ground in the 290-seat legislature. None of Iran’s three main political camps – reformist, conservative and hard-line – was expected to capture a majority, but the reformist camp is on track for its best showing in more than a decade.