Rafsanjani, president from 1989 to 1997, died of a heart attack on Sunday at the age of 82.He had been one of the most influential figures since the 1979 revolution, criticised for his harsh rule but later becoming a key supporter of reformists.In a statement issued on Sunday, the supreme leader lamented the death of a “comrade and ally” with whom he had been friends for almost 60 years.