The Political System of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Which the US and Israel Fear and Aim to Overthrow
Power Structure · Step-by-Step · 2026
Level 1 · Supreme Authority
Supreme Leader — Vali-e FaqihMojtaba Khamenei · since March 9, 2026 · Commander-in-Chief
Supreme Leader — Vali-e Faqih
Legal BasisArticles 5, 57, and 110 of the Constitution. The theory of Absolute Guardianship of the Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih) — until the appearance of the 12th Imam, governance is the duty of a just jurist.
CurrentMojtaba Khamenei, 56, since March 9, 2026. His father Ali Khamenei was killed after 37 years of leadership (1989–2026). Previously, Ruhollah Khomeini (1979–1989) was the Supreme Leader and founder of this system.
Duties according to Article 110The Supreme Leader determines and supervises the general policies of the state after consultation with the Expediency Council. He is the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces — having the right to declare war, peace, and command the forces. He directly appoints 6 jurists of the Guardian Council, the Head of the Judiciary, the Head of IRIB, the Chief of the Joint Staff, and the Commander of the IRGC. He confirms the President after election and can dismiss them if necessary. He holds the power of absolute command.
ElectionThe Assembly of Experts elects the Supreme Leader with ⅔ of the members' votes. There is no fixed term.
"Absolute" MeaningThe word "absolute" in Article 57 of the Constitution indicates that the duties in Article 110 are mandatory and enforceable, not merely discretionary.
Level 2 · Directly Under the Supreme Leader
Guardian CouncilSupreme Leader appoints 6 jurists
JudiciaryHead appointed by Supreme Leader (5 years)
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)Commander appointed by Supreme Leader
IRIB (State Media)Head appointed by Supreme Leader
Guardian Council of the Constitution
Members12 members. 6 Islamic jurists are directly appointed by the Supreme Leader. Another 6 lawyers are proposed by the Head of the Judiciary and confirmed by the Parliament (Majlis).
Term and Secretary6 years — every 3 years, half of the members are replaced. Secretary: Ahmad Jannati — since 1992.
DutiesIt has two main duties. First — to review all laws passed by the Majlis for compatibility with Sharia and the Constitution. Second — to approve or reject candidates for the presidency, parliament, and Assembly of Experts. According to Article 99, it supervises the election process.
Judiciary
HeadThe Head is appointed by the Supreme Leader for 5 years. Current: Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i.
ConnectionThe Head of the Judiciary proposes 6 lawyers for the Guardian Council to the Majlis, subject to the Supreme Leader's approval.
DutiesManages all courts and the justice system of the country. Supervises the implementation of criminal laws. Formally independent of the other two branches of power.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — IRGC
Founding and CommanderEstablished in 1979 to protect the revolution. The commander is directly appointed by the Supreme Leader.
StructureGround, Naval, Air forces, Quds Force (foreign operations: Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, etc.), and Basij.
SizeApproximately 200,000 permanent personnel.
Economic InfluenceControls hundreds of companies and industrial plants — one of the largest conglomerates in Iran.
IRIB (State Media)
HeadThe Head is appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, not by the government or Majlis.
DutyManagement of Iran's state radio and television. Controls all official state broadcasting channels.
Level 3 · Assembly of Experts — Supervisor of the Leader
Assembly of Experts88 Mujtahids · 8 years · Popularly elected · Candidates vetted by Guardian Council
Assembly of Experts for the Leadership
Composition and Election88 Mujtahids (Islamic scholars) are elected by the people for 8 years. However, all candidates must first be approved by the Guardian Council, whose members are appointed by the Supreme Leader.
ChairmanMohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani — since May 2024. In March 2026, the Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader.
DutiesThe primary duty is electing the Supreme Leader. It also monitors the Leader's performance and can remove them in case of incapacity or illness (Article 111). Meetings are held once every 6 months.
Level 4 · Elected Bodies Supervised by the Guardian Council
Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis)290 MPs · 4 years · Legislation
PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian · since July 2024
Expediency Council46 members · 5 years · Appointed by Supreme Leader
Islamic Consultative Assembly
Members and Term290 representatives are elected by the people for 4 years.
SpeakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — from 2020 to present.
DutiesApproves laws, confirms the budget, and confirms ministers after presidential nomination. Has the right to question ministers, conduct official inquiries, and impeach them. All laws passed must be reviewed by the Guardian Council; in case of conflict, the Expediency Council arbitrates.
President
Current and ElectionMasoud Pezeshkian — since July 2024. Directly elected by the people for 4 years. Maximum of 2 terms.
ConfirmationThe Guardian Council approves all candidates before the election. The Supreme Leader signs the presidential decree after the election.
DutiesHead of the Cabinet (government) and proposes ministers to the Majlis. Implements approved laws. Prepares the state budget. Chairs the Supreme National Security Council. Signs international treaties.
Expediency Discernment Council
Founding and MembersEstablished in 1987 by decree of Imam Khomeini. 46 permanent members are appointed by the Supreme Leader every 5 years.
ChairmanSadeq Amoli Larijani — since 2019.
DutiesResolves disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council. Serves as the official advisory body to the Supreme Leader in policymaking. According to Article 111, in the event of the Supreme Leader's death, a 3-member temporary council (President, Head of Judiciary, one jurist from the Guardian Council) exercises the Leader's powers until a new election.
Level 5 · Under the President
CabinetAppointed by President, confirmed by Majlis
Supreme National Security CouncilChair — President
Supreme Council of Cultural RevolutionChair — President
Cabinet of Ministers — 19 Ministries
Appointment and DutyThe President appoints ministers, and the Majlis confirms them by vote. Manages all executive state affairs through 19 ministries.
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Communications and IT
Ministry of Intelligence
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Health and Medical Education
Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture Jihad
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics
Ministry of Roads and Urban Development
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Petroleum
Ministry of Energy
Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology
Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade
Ministry of Sport and Youth
Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Supreme National Security Council
Chair and MembersThe President is the Chair. Members: Heads of Judiciary and Majlis, commanders of IRGC and Army, relevant ministers, and the Supreme Leader's representatives.
DutyDecision-making on security and defense issues, coordination of military and security forces, and nuclear negotiations. The Secretary of the council is appointed by the Supreme Leader, and major decisions must be approved by the Supreme Leader.
Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution
Founding and ChairEstablished in 1980. The President is the Chair.
DutyApproves all school and university curricula, media content, and the cultural policy of the country. The Islamization of culture and public education are among its primary duties.
Level 6 · Armed Forces — Under Supreme Leader's Command
Army (Artesh)Commander appointed by Supreme Leader
BasijUnder IRGC · Volunteer-based
Law Enforcement ForcesHead appointed by Supreme Leader
Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran
CommanderThe Supreme Leader is the Commander-in-Chief. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces is appointed by the Supreme Leader.
CompositionGround, Naval, Air forces, and Air Defense.
Duty and Difference from IRGCThe primary duty of the Army is to defend the country's territory from foreign attack. IRGC was founded to protect the revolutionary system — these are two separate but interrelated forces.
Basij Organization
Command and MembersOperates under the IRGC. Participation is voluntary. It has hundreds of thousands of members.
DutiesEnsures domestic security, assists the Army and IRGC during wartime, and participates in the ideological education of youth.
Law Enforcement Force of Iran (Police)
HeadThe Head is appointed by the Supreme Leader — not by the President or the Interior Minister.
DutiesEnsures public order and civil security. Monitors the implementation of public and security laws.
Level 7 · Local Governance
City and Village CouncilsMembers directly elected by the people
City and Village Islamic Councils
ElectionThe people directly elect the members. The Guardian Council does not vet candidates for these local elections.
DutiesThey elect the Mayor, the District Manager, and the Village Head. They manage urban planning, municipal services, and local projects.
Level 8 · The People
People of Iran — Over 90 MillionElections for President · Majlis · Experts · Councils — all candidates (except local) vetted by Guardian Council
The People of Iran
DemographicsOver 90 million people. Over 60% are under 30. People speak several languages, such as Persian, Azeri, Kurdish, Arabic, Luri, etc. The state language is Persian.
Official RightsThe people directly elect the President, MPs, members of the Assembly of Experts, and local councils.
Election ProcessAll candidates for national elections — except local councils — first pass through the Guardian Council and are approved, after which the people vote.
Ethnic CompositionComprised of Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Lurs, Arabs, Baluchis, Turkmens, and others.