Iran elections: Presidential candidates start registering

Iran has begun registering candidates to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in its forthcoming presidential election.

Hopefuls have a five-day period in which to declare their intention to stand in the 14 June poll.

More conservative than reformists have put themselves forward as candidates, reports say. Iran's Guardian Council - a body controlled by the Supreme Leader - decides who can stand.

Constitutionally, President Ahmadinejad cannot run for a third term.

The results of the last presidential elections, in 2009, were disputed by the opposition, triggering mass street protests.

The opposition says more than 80 of its supporters were killed over the following six months, though the government denies this.

Reformist candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi were detained and remain under house arrest.

A reformist MP, Mostafa Kavakebian, who was disqualified by the Guardian Council in 2009, registered early on Tuesday.

Another prominent figure Hassan Rowhani, Iran's former nuclear negotiator and confidant to ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, also put forward his name.

Mr Rowhani's allies say he will withdraw his application if Mr Rafsanjani decides to run for president.

Mr Ahmadinejad is likely to endorse the expected candidacy of his chief-of-staff and close confidante, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei.

However, long-term tensions between Mr Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have tainted Mr Rahim-Mashaei's reputation among some conservative elements.

In 2009, 475 hopefuls registered as candidates, but the Guardian Council, whose 12 members are either directly or indirectly appointed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, only gave its approval to four.

The final list of candidates will be unveiled later this month.