TEHRAN – A spokesman for the bloc of independents at Iran’s parliament has said it supports Ali Larijani, who has been the speaker of the parliament for nine years, to remain at his position.

Mehrdad Lahouti said Tuesday that the members of the faction support the parliament’s leadership, including Speaker Ali Larijani, First Deputy Speaker Masoud Pezeshkian and Second Deputy Speaker Ali Motahari.

Mohammad Reza Aref, the leader of the pro-reform Hope faction, challenged Larijani for the position of speaker last year but was defeated.

MH/PA