The Association of Combatant Clerics issued a statement on Friday denying reports that in a recent meeting of the pro-reform group, the members had discussed alternatives to Hassan Rouhani for the 2017 presidential election, IRNA reported. "The association strongly denies reports published as part of widespread smear campaigns by sections of the media that are opposed to the government." The statement reaffirmed the association's full support for the president. In recent weeks there have been commentaries in the opposition rightist lobbies and their media that Rouhani could be the first president after 1981 to serve only one term.
