Iranian government

Iranian government
Country	Iran
Formation	0 1979
Founding document	Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Jurisdiction	Iran
Seat	Tehran
Leader title	Supreme Leader
Appointed	Assembly of Experts
Main organ	Expediency Discernment Council
Court	Supreme Court of Iran

Iranian government. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a unique theocratic-republican system established following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. Its foundational framework is defined by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which blends elements of Shia Islamic governance with republican institutions, placing ultimate authority in a religious figure known as the Supreme Leader. The system operates through several branches of government, including an elected presidency and parliament, but all are subordinate to the overarching principles of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) and the supervision of powerful non-elected bodies like the Guardian Council.

Political system

The political system is a hybrid theocracy where sovereignty is derived from Allah, as interpreted by Shia Twelver doctrine, and institutionalized through the concept of Velayat-e Faqih. This framework was principally developed by Ruhollah Khomeini and established after the Iranian Revolution, creating a state where religious authority supersedes popular will. Key unelected bodies, such as the Guardian Council and the Expediency Discernment Council, hold veto power over all elected institutions to ensure conformity with Islamic principles. The system is characterized by a complex network of parallel institutions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij, which operate alongside formal state structures to enforce ideological purity and national security.

Constitution

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran was ratified by popular referendum in December 1979 and significantly amended in 1989 following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini. The document enshrines Shia Islam as the official state religion and establishes Velayat-e Faqih as the cornerstone of governance. It outlines the structure of the state, defining the powers of the Supreme Leader, the President of Iran, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the judiciary. The Guardian Council, composed of six Islamic jurists and six civil law experts, is constitutionally mandated to interpret the constitution and vet all legislation for compliance with Sharia and constitutional law, as well as approve candidates for all major elections.

Supreme Leader

The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest-ranking political and religious authority, serving as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces under the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih. The position has been held by Ruhollah Khomeini (1979–1989) and Ali Khamenei (1989–present). Appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts, the Supreme Leader controls the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the judiciary, state media through the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, and appoints key officials including the head of the judiciary, six members of the Guardian Council, and the commanders of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His authority extends to setting overarching state policies in foreign and domestic affairs.

Executive branch

The elected head of the executive branch is the President of Iran, who is responsible for implementing the constitution and leading the government, except in matters directly reserved for the Supreme Leader. Presidents, such as Ebrahim Raisi, Hassan Rouhani, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, are elected for a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms. The president supervises a cabinet of ministers, subject to approval by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. However, the executive's power is constrained by the Supreme Leader and parallel institutions like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which often operates with significant autonomy in economic and security domains.

Legislative branch

The national legislature is the unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), located in Tehran, whose 290 members are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. All legislation passed by the Majlis must be reviewed for compliance with Sharia and the constitution by the Guardian Council, which frequently exercises its veto power. The Expediency Discernment Council, appointed by the Supreme Leader, arbitrates disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council and advises on major state policies. Key legislative initiatives often involve national security, economic plans, and social policies aligned with Islamic principles.

Judicial branch

The Judiciary of Iran is an independent branch headed by a Chief Justice, a Mujtahid appointed by the Supreme Leader for a five-year term. The judicial system is based on Sharia law, with the Supreme Court of Iran serving as the highest appellate body. Special clerical courts, such as the Special Clerical Court, operate outside the standard judicial hierarchy to try members of the clergy. Other revolutionary courts handle cases deemed threats to national security. The judiciary enforces strict Islamic codes, and its head also appoints the six civil law experts to the Guardian Council.

Military and security apparatus

The military and security structure is divided between the conventional Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the parallel Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both ultimately under the command of the Supreme Leader. The IRGC, founded after the Iranian Revolution, oversees the Basij militia and controls the Quds Force, which conducts extraterritorial operations. This apparatus is central to domestic security, ideological enforcement, and projecting influence across the Middle East, as seen in support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi movement in Yemen. The Ministry of Intelligence and security services work in tandem with these forces to monitor internal dissent.

Category:Iran