President of Iran

President of Iran
source
Post	President
Body	the, Islamic Republic of Iran
Native name	رئیسجمهور ایران
Insigniasize	120
Insigniacaption	Emblem of Iran
Incumbent	Ebrahim Raisi
Incumbentsince	3 August 2021
Style	Mr. President, His Excellency, (diplomatic)
Status	Head of government
Member of	Cabinet, Expediency Discernment Council, Supreme National Security Council, Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution
Reports to	Supreme Leader of Iran
Residence	Sa'dabad Palace
Seat	Tehran
Nominator	Ministry of Interior
Appointer	Direct election
Appointer qualified	by Plurality voting
Termlength	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Formation	4 February 1980
First	Abolhassan Banisadr
Deputy	Vice President of Iran
Salary	538,320,000 ﷼ annually
Website	[https://www.president.ir president.ir]

President of Iran. The position is the second-highest ranking official in the Islamic Republic of Iran and functions as the head of government, responsible for the executive branch. The office was established following the Iranian Revolution and the ratification of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, succeeding the former Prime Minister of Iran. Candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council and are elected to a four-year term by direct popular vote, serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.

History and establishment

The office was created after the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, with the first election held in 1980. The position replaced the role of Prime Minister of Iran, which was ultimately abolished by a 1989 constitutional amendment. This change concentrated executive authority and followed a power struggle during the Iran–Iraq War, notably involving the dismissal of the first officeholder, Abolhassan Banisadr. The constitutional framework was heavily influenced by Ruhollah Khomeini and the Assembly of Experts, embedding the office within a system of Velayat-e Faqih.

Election and term of office

Candidates must be Iranian citizens of Iranian origin, between 40 and 75 years old, and possess a history of political and religious adherence to the principles of the Islamic Republic. The Guardian Council vets all aspirants, a process that has frequently disqualified reformist figures. Elections are conducted via a Two-round system, requiring a majority vote, and are overseen by the Ministry of Interior (Iran). The term is four years, renewable once, with the Supreme Leader of Iran possessing the authority to dismiss the officeholder upon a ruling from the Supreme Court of Iran or a vote of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Powers and duties

Constitutionally mandated duties include signing treaties and laws passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and appointing ministers subject to parliamentary approval. The officeholder chairs the Cabinet of Iran and sits on key bodies like the Supreme National Security Council and the Expediency Discernment Council. While responsible for economic policy and national planning through institutions like the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all key directives, especially in foreign and defense policy, require the endorsement of the Supreme Leader of Iran. The officeholder also presents the annual budget to the Majlis.

List of presidents

Since 1980, the position has been held by individuals across the political spectrum, from the first holder Abolhassan Banisadr to the long-serving Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and reformist Mohammad Khatami. Other notable officeholders include Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose tenure was marked by controversy over the 2009 Iranian presidential election, and the moderate Hassan Rouhani, who negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The current officeholder, Ebrahim Raisi, a conservative jurist and former head of the Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was elected in 2021.

Relationship with other institutions

The office operates under the overarching authority of the Supreme Leader of Iran, who controls the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the judiciary. The Guardian Council can nullify presidential decrees deemed contrary to Islamic law or the constitution. While the Islamic Consultative Assembly can interpellate and impeach ministers, the Expediency Discernment Council arbitrates legislative disputes. Key security and foreign policy decisions are made in conjunction with the Supreme National Security Council, whose secretary is appointed by the Supreme Leader. This structure ensures the office's subordination to the clerical establishment.

Category:Presidents of Iran Category:Heads of government