( CNN ) -- He is still a long-shot to win -- but centrist candidate Hassan Rouhani has suddenly injected fresh intrigue in Iran 's upcoming presidential elections . Early on , critics of the Islamic Republic had described the race as a sure-fire victory for one of the ruling establishment 's loyalists . Ultra-conservatives have dominated the field of eight candidates , which is missing leading reformist candidates like former president Hashemi Rafsanjani . Read more : Who is running in Iran 's presidential election ? He was disqualified without explanation during the vetting process carried out by the Guardian Council , a panel of clerics and lawyers . But there are strong signs that Rouhani is trying to revive Iran 's dormant reform movement -- and some observers say that could give the 65-year-old cleric a fighting chance . Iranians head to the polling booths on Friday June 14 . `` He appears to be gaining ground daily , '' explains Tehran-based political analyst Sadegh Zibakalam . `` The more I hear about Rouhani , the more I 'm encouraged that he might be able to be a spoiler in this election , '' adds Nader Hashemi , director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver . Has Iranian regime learned nothing from 2009 election fiasco ? Rouhani 's campaign gathered steam last month soon after his first live interview on state television . During his exchange with the show host , Rouhani did what few Iranian politicians dare do -- accuse Iran 's state-run media of censorship and lies . Several video clips of the interview racked up thousands of views on YouTube . `` He turned the host into a cutlet , '' a viewer wrote in the comment section . Days later , Rouhani held a televised rally and whipped his supporters into a frenzy when he criticized the government 's tight grip on security . `` Why does there have to be a securitized atmosphere everywhere ? '' Rouhani asked the fired-up crowd . `` We must crush the securitized atmosphere . '' Hashemi says that Rouhani is `` politically savvy and realizes there 's a lot of political discontent in society . He 's trying to play to that discontent as a way of rallying support to his candidacy . '' Hooshang Amirahmadi : Setting the record straight . Rouhani 's defiant tone seems to be winning over remnants of the Green Movement , the opposition force that exploded onto the scene during the 2009 elections , only to be later crushed by the regime 's security apparatus . Today the two main leaders of the Green Movement -- Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi -- are under house arrest and Iran 's security officials have warned the public against anti-government street protests . Amanpour explains : Iran 's presidential election . But Rouhani is prodding the movement 's supporters . Some of his statements echo those of the Green Movement . Last month he told students at Tehran University that the movement 's initial street protests were not a foreign plot as some regime leaders had claimed in 2009 . `` These were protests that were natural and popular , '' Rouhani said . `` They should have been addressed . '' Rouhani 's Twitter page suggests a progressive ideology . It features two women holding up his campaign poster : one of the women is holding a green Tupperware lid . It 's not clear if the picture is a veiled invite to the Green Movement , but many are starting to follow his lead . At a rally this month supporters chanted Rouhani and Mousavi 's names together , shouting : `` Greetings to Rouhani ! Salutes to Mousavi ! '' But Iran 's notorious security forces are paying attention too . Shortly after the rally , police arrested several members of Rouhani 's campaign , state media reported . `` I think he has the potential , '' says Hashemi . `` It depends on how much he really wants to tap into the public discontent . But of course doing so is very difficult because then he draws the attention and the ire of the regime who want to block a massive public rallying around a Rouhani candidacy . '' Despite his growing popularity among opposition circles , Rouhani has long been a part of Iran 's ruling establishment . He 's the only cleric among the eight candidates , has close ties to Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and served in Iran 's parliament for two decades . He was also Iran 's lead nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005 and currently holds seats on several powerful decision-making bodies . But to be Iran 's next president he 'll have to beat several heavyweights among the ultra-conservative candidates , including top contenders like Iran 's current nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili , Tehran 's mayor Mohammad Qalibaf and Ali Akbar Velayati , A senior adviser to the Supreme Leader . Rouhani may be the dark horse but the presidential campaign is no longer as dull as some anticipated . `` More and more people are saying let 's go and vote for Rouhani , '' says Zibakalam . `` I wo n't be surprised if he manages to win the vote . ''
The ' dark horse ' of Iran 's election , centrist candidate Hassan Rouhani , is losing points . Critics had seen the election as a sure - fire victory for one of the ruling establishment 's loyalists . But there are strong signs that Rouhani is trying to revive Iran 's dormant reform movement .