Could this be a new dawn for Iran?
With 90 per cent of votes counted, preliminary results show allies of moderate president Hassan Rouhani taking all 30 of Tehran's parliamentary seats.
Citizens gathered at mosques around the country on Friday - but not just for afternoon prayers.
Many regard this poll as a referendum on the moderate policies of current reformist President Hassan Rouhani - who knows both he - and his country - are in the spotlight.
"Today our friends and enemies from around the world are gazing at Islamic Iran. I have no doubt that the Iranian nation, like always, will create another epic (turnout) at this very sensitive juncture in time."
A week of campaigning was followed by long queues into the night.
An impressive turnout of 60 per cent meant voting had to be extended as darkness fell.
It's the first time Iran's citizens have gone to the polls since last year's landmark nuclear deal.
After 12 years of talks, a decade of crippling sanctions were lifted last month.
The international atomic energy agency has certified iran has restricted its sensitive nuclear activities - but any violation will mean sanctions snap back into place for another 10 years.
But they've taken their toll.
Sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and the European Union have cost Iran more than $220-billion dollars Australian in oil revenue since 2012 alone - and sunk the country into a deep recession.
Top of the list of concerns in this election, say voters, is the economy.
"The most important issue is economic prosperity. Now society really needs jobs, unemployment is so rampant, because I feel it, I see it."
''Definitely it is important to me, because it will determine the four-year future of my country and I hope that there will be good results and reformists can replace and create a better situation for our country."
Nearly 60 per cent of Iran's 80 million citizens are under 30 - one of whom is this student.
"As you know Iran has a young generation and they have lots of problems. One of them is that there are lots of educated people who are unemployed. And many people suffer from economic problems.
Nearly 55 million eligible voters have chosen from more than 6,000 candidates - including almost 600 women - for 290 seats in the Majlis - Iran's parliament.
They've also voted for a new "Assembly of Experts" - Iran's top clerical body - that appoints the country's most powerful official, the supreme leader.
It's a significant decision.
Iran's current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is 76 and is reportedly in ill health - but exhorting voters to exercise their right.
"We have enemies who are eyeing us greedily. Turnout in the elections should be as such that our enemy will be disappointed and will lose hope. People should be observant and vote with open eyes."
Already senior conservatives are alleging American and English infiltration into Iranian affairs.
Still, the apparent landslide victory is good news for President Rouhani - who needs support from his MPs to push through long-awaited economic reforms.
He's also expected to bid for re-election next year.
Counting is ongoing, but initial results suggest these boxes of ballot papers are votes for an end to isolation.
Full results are expected Tuesday.
