Political System of Iran
Introduction:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which Shia Muslim
clergy and political leaders vetted by the clergy dominate the key power structures.
Government legitimacy is based on the twin pillars of popular sovereignty and the rule of
the supreme leader. Supreme leader is the ruler and the Commander-in-Chief of the
country. The political, social and economic structure is defined by the constitution which
was adopted on December 3, 1979, and was ratified on July 28, 1982. Even though the
Iranian political system operates under the framework of a theocracy, there is a relatively
high level of political freedom and democracy in Iran.
1. THE SUPREME LEADER
In Iran’s complex political system, the Supreme Leader has a very special status and is the
highest authority in the country. The Leader, however, is equal to the rest of the people
before the law. All civil, criminal, economic, taxation, military and other laws are as
applicable to the Leader and the members of his family as they are for other people.
i. Qualifications
Constitution provides that the Leader must have scholastic qualifications, show justice
and piety, proper social and political insight, resourcefulness, courage, management
ability and adequate capability to lead the nation.
ii. Powers
The Leader has the responsibility and authority to determine general policies of the
country, supervise the good performance of those policies, issue decrees for national
referendums and pardon condemned persons or commute their sentence.
The Supreme Leader is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, controls Iran’s
intelligence and security operations, and has the authority to declare war. Moreover, he
has the power to appoint and dismiss the leaders of the judiciary, the state radio and
television networks, and the supreme commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps. Besides, he has the power to appoint six members of the Council of Guardians.
2. THE PRESIDENT
The President is the second highest official in the country, after the Supreme Leader. He
has the responsibility for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the
executive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of) the Leadership.
i. Qualifications
Constitution stipulates that the President shall be elected from among distinguished
religious and political personalities of Iranian origin and nationality, and he shall be
efficient and prudent with a good reputation and honesty. He should also be pious,
faithful to the foundations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the official religion of the
country. To prevent misuse of public assets Constitution also stipulates that the assets of
the President and his family shall be examined immediately before and after their tenure
to ensure that they have not increased unreasonably.
ii. Term
The president is elected directly by the people of Iran for a four-year term. He can serve
no more than two consecutive terms but can be elected again after a break.
iii. Powers
The president, as chief executive, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the country.
He does not, however, determine the general guidelines of Iranian domestic and foreign
policy, nor does he command the armed forces and security organs. He is responsible
primarily for setting the country’s economic and social policies and plays the role of
representing Iran internationally. His functions also include the signing of treaties with
other nations, budget, administering national planning and appointing Cabinet Ministers
with Parliament’s approval.
3. THE GUARDIAN COUNCIL
One of the most powerful forces in Iran’s government is the Guardian Council, which
consists of twelve theologians, six of them are appointed by the Supreme Leader while
six jurists are nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament. Its members are
elected for six years on a phased basis, so that half the membership changes every three
years.
i. Powers
The body oversees the activities of Parliament and determines which candidates are
qualified to run for public office. All legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative
Assembly must be sent to the Guardian Council which has the power to overturn if it is
considered in violation of Iran’s constitution. This means that the council has effective
veto power over Parliament
4. THE ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS
Unlike the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts is directly
elected by the people of Iran. The assembly has 86 members, all clerics, who are elected
for eight-year terms. Candidates for the assembly are vetted by the Guardian Council.
i. Powers
According to the Iranian constitution, the responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts are
to appoint the Supreme Leader, monitor his performance and remove him if he is deemed
incapable of fulfilling his duties or in case anything happens to him that prevents him from
leading the nation.
5. PARLIAMENT (Majles)
The Iranian Parliament, called the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles), is a unicameral
legislative body whose 290 members are publicly elected every four years. The Majles
holds substantially less authority compared to non-elected bodies such as the Guardian
Council or the Supreme Leader’s office. It has powers over the government budget,
confirmation of cabinet ministers, and questioning of government officials over their
performance. It drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the
country’s budget.
6. EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL
The Council is an advisory body for the Leader with an ultimate adjudicating power in
disputes over legislation between the parliament and the Guardian Council. The Supreme
Leader appoints its members, who are prominent religious, social and political figures.
SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Iran’s Constitution sets up the Supreme National Security Council, and charges it with
“preserving the Islamic Revolution, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty.” Its
members include: the president; speaker of Parliament; the head of the judiciary; the
chief of the combined general staff of the armed forces; the ministers of foreign affairs,
the interior, and intelligence; and the commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps and the regular military, among others.
As head of the Supreme National Security Council, the president helps coordinate the
Supreme Leader’s foreign policy directives.
CONCLUSION
Due to its intricate set of checks and balances, the Iranian government can get bogged
down in times of crisis. It includes a volatile mix of elected and appointed career
politicians and Shia clerics, from ultra-conservative to reformist.
Altogether, Iran’s leadership is a fascinating case study in hybrid government — and the
only functioning theocratic government on Earth today.
