Rafsanjani to stand in Iran election

Iranian ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has registered for June's presidential election, a few minutes before an official deadline.

Correspondents say Mr Rafsanjani, 78, is virtually assured the support of reformers and could pose a real challenge to the country's conservative leadership.

Constitutionally, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cannot stand again.

But his choice of candidate registered minutes before Mr Rafsanjani.

Susanah Mendonca reports.