1. The Iranian Government

2. Why is Iran, Iran?
Iran’s identity is the result of thousands of years of history
Deep attachment to Islam
Have always been an autocratic state
Iran is structured as a theocracy
Ruled strictly by religion
Clerics (religious leaders) control the major industries in Iran

3. Developing Economy Significant player in the global market
2nd largest oil producer in the Middle East
4th largest in the world
The oil is controlled by the clerics

4. Legitimacy The Supreme Leader is accepted as the heir of Islam
Shiite belief
Power is derived from the Constitution of 1979
Mixture of theocracy and democracy
Sharia Law
Jurist’s Guardianship
Up until 2005 giving more power to the people was highly debated

5. Government Structure Theocratic Democratic Supreme Leader
Heir to Islam (Imam)
Guardian Council
Can veto any legislation
Can disqualify candidates for public office
Expediency Council
President
Assembly of Religious Experts
National Assembly
Legislative Body

6. Levels of Government National Provinces Districts Sub-Districts
Local Areas
Each level has elected officials
Appointed governors advise each level of officials

7. The Supreme Leader
The head of the theocratic component of the Iranian government
Life long appointment
Primary interpreter of Sharia law
Controls presidential candidates
Can dismiss the President (and other administrators)
Declare war (Commander in Chief)

8. The Guardian Council
Responsible for ensuring that the democratic component of the government adheres to Islamic beliefs
Consists of 12 members
6 are appointed by the Chief Judge and approved by the Majles
6 are appointed by the Supreme Leader

9. The Assembly of Religious Experts
Directly elected by the people every 4 years
Appoints the Supreme Leader
Can dismiss the Supreme Leader if necessary
Similar role to the Guardian council
Charged with interpreting Islam
Sometimes considered to be the Upper Legislative House
Not Official

10. The Expediency Council
Appointed by the Supreme Leader
Charged with mediating conflicts between the Guardian Council and the Majles
Can produce new legislation to be voted on
Considered the most powerful people in the Iranian government

11. The President
Chief Executive and highest state official after the Supreme Leader
Directly elected every 4 years, two term limit
Charged with:
Budget
Economic Matters
Proposing Legislation
Signing treaties and laws
Appointing lower level administrators

12. Dual Executive Branch Supreme Leader The President Head of State
Is not involved in day-to-day politics
Has final say in all matters
Head of Government
Manages the cabinet
Cabinet does most of executive work
Answers to the people and the Supreme Leader

13. The Majles Responsible For: Enacting and changing laws
Interpreting legislation
Confirming 6/12 of the appointed members of the Guardian Council
Investigating complaints against the government
Approving actions of the President

14. The Judiciary Headed by a Chief Justice
Responsible for the Supreme Court
Appointed by the Supreme Leader for a 5 year term
Appoints all lower judges
No equivalent of “Judicial Review” exists in Iran

15. The Military Revolutionary Guards
Created by the Supreme Leader after the 1979 revolution
Paramilitary to the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force
Elite military force, commanders appointed by Supreme Leader
Basij are a component of the Revolutionary Guards
Loosely-organized military (Militia)