The attacks and tit-for-tat accusations came during the third and final presidential debate aired live on Iran's state-controlled television on May 12 ahead of the vote on May 19. He said hope for future has increased in the Iranian society and employment has improved. Rohani, a relative moderate who is seeking a second term, accused his rivals -- hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf -- of leveling baseless accusations against him and making unrealistic promises.
The first six-man televised debate is held, which focused mostly on social issues.