Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani dies at 82

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani expired on Sunday. He was 82 years old. Rafsanjani was a dominant figure in the Iran's politics since the 1980s.

Earlier in the day, Rafsanjani was taken to hospital on Sunday with a heart condition.

Rafsanjani was said to be still an influential figure in Iran. He headed the Expediency Council, a body which is intended to resolve disputes between the parliament and the Guardian Council.

He served as president from 1989 to 1997 but lost to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he contested again in 2005.