Reformists backed by Mahdi Karroubi and conservative associates of Mesbah Yazdi failed to live up to their expectations.

[4][11] Of particular note was the victory of the pragmatist list led by Ayatollah Rafsanjani, over hard-line candidates associated with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Yet Rafsanjani won nearly twice as many votes as President Ahmadinejad's mentor, hard-liner Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi.

The changes in the presiding board from the 3rd assembly were the replacement of Mohammad Yazdi with Ebrahim Amini, who retired, as the 2nd deputy chairman; and election of Hassan Rohani as a provisionist.

[12] [13] After the disputed results of the June 2009 Iranian presidential election were certified by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Chairman Rafsanjani was reported to have called a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, as the Assembly has the constitutional power to hire and fire the Supreme Leader.