Iranian former vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref speaks during a reformist campaign for upcoming parliamentary election, in Tehran February 18, 2016. A senior reformist candidate forecast victory for allies of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani over hard-line opponents in parliamentary elections on Friday, saying this would help the pragmatic leader revive an economy hit by years of sanctions. Former Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref told Reuters that even if hard-liners retain control of the 290-seat assembly, moderates would seek allies to enable them to press for an opening of the $400-billion economy to the outside world. “We think we will get it, but if we don’t get the majority and if we are a minority we will make a coalition to pursue our reforms and development plans,” he said in an interview. “Our speculation is that the extremists or principlists won’t have the majority in the parliament and the general atmosphere of […]