The Universal Coalition of Reformists ("List of Hope"), mainly comprising moderate conservatives and reformists (see note 1), fared well in elections to parliament and the Assembly of Experts (see note 2). Led by former Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, it took over 120 seats in the two rounds of parliamentary elections. The Grand Coalition of Principle-ists (comprising hardline conservatives, or "principle-ists"), led by former Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, won over 80 seats, though Mr. Haddad-Adel himself lost his seat. A record 17 women were elected.

During the election campaign, many candidates promised to support greater economic development. Around half of the potential candidates were disqualified by the Guardian Council prior to the election.

The 2016 elections were first to be held under President Hassan Rouhani, elected in 2013. International sanctions were removed in January 2016 following an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. Former President Mohammad Khatami praised the success of the List of Hope, saying the people have expressed their support for the policies of the Rohani administration.

Note 1:
While political parties exist, they are not active. The main political forces are generally considered to be 'conservatives' (often referred to as principle-ists or fundamentalists) and 'reformists'. The reformists favour expanded social freedoms and engagement with the West. Moderate conservatives, who backed the 2015 nuclear agreement, joined the List of Hope in the 2016 elections.

Note 2:
The 88-member Assembly of Experts has the authority to appoint and dismiss the Supreme Leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appointed for life in June 1989. Moderate conservatives won 59% of the seats in 2016, including President Rouhani and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.