Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani lost his position as head of an important state clerical body after being criticized by hardliners for being too close to the reformist opposition.

Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani was elected as the new chairman of the Assembly of Experts after Rafsanjani withdrew his candidacy.

Rafsanjani had chaired the assembly since 2007, Reuters reported.