The late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was known as the spearhead of the “moderate” camp in Iran. He also served as the only bridge between the ruling establishment and the Reformists, who faced restrictions following the unrest related to the 2009 presidential elections. When Rafsanjani passed away in January, his death was a major shock for his supporters, who turned out in huge numbers for his funeral alongside politicians who shared his approach to politics.

Considered a “pillar” of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the US-backed shah, Rafsanjani held several prominent positions over the past decades. In addition to serving as parliament speaker and president, Rafsanjani also played a crucial role in the last years of his life — establishing and leading the moderate camp, and thereby, helping Reformists survive.

In the 2009 presidential elections, the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was proclaimed the victor, but the Reformists, who had two candidates in the race, rejected the results, charging that the balloting had been rigged. After extensive protests, the Reformist candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, were subjected to house arrest in 2012, and the Reformists' activities were restricted.

In addition to Reformists, figures who feel that their home in the conservative camp has been co-opted by hard-liners have been attracted to the moderate camp that emerged in recent years. President Hassan Rouhani, the head of the supreme leader’s Inspection Office Akbar Nategh-Nouri and parliament Speaker Ali Larijani are the most prominent faces among the moderates.