Inside Iran바카라™s Political Apparatus

Iran had a change in its political apparatus in 1979 when the Iranian Revolution overthrew Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. The Shah ruled from 1941 until the uprising, which brought about the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 바카라”  who led the revolution.

Iran 바카라” which was once one of the greatest ancient empires 바카라” had a complicated political journey after World War Two. 

In 1921, military commander Reza Khan seized power and was crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi. In 1941, Britain and Russia occupied Iran during World War Two. By 1953, a coup engineered by British and the United States intelligence services overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

The country still preserved its distinct cultural identity, retained its own language and continues to embrace the Shia branch of Islam.

Now 바카라” Iran바카라™s political system is different than most countries. It has a President, but the state바카라™s parliament, executive and judiciary is overseen by bodies dominated by the clergy. Though originally envisioned as a parliamentary democracy, the system is now nudged toward theocratic rule.

The highest power of the country remains with the Supreme Leader. He appoints the heads of the judiciary, military and state media, and also confirms the election of the President.

Iran바카라™s current Supreme Leader 바카라” Ali Khamenei 바카라” succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini, and was appointed for life in June 1989. He had previously served two consecutive terms as President in the 1980s.

Iran holds its presidential elections every four years. The President of Iran is elected by all adult citizens and must be a native-born ShiÊ¿i Muslim. Originally a ceremonial role, the presidency gained real power in 1989 after a constitutional amendment removed the position of Prime Minister. 

Today, the President leads the executive branch, picks ministers, after approval from the legislature, and appoints some members to key government bodies. He also chairs the Supreme Council for National Security, which handles defence matters.

The current President 바카라” Masoud Pezeshkian 바카라” won Iran's snap presidential election last year after the then President Ehrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. Pezeshkian became the Islamic Republic's ninth president, and Iran바카라™s second-highest-ranking official.

However, the ultimate decision-making power rests with the Supreme Leader 바카라” who is not elected by the public, but is appointed by the Assembly of Experts.

The 88-member Assembly of Experts is a publicly elected council of Islamic clerics responsible for appointing, overseeing, and 바카라” if needed 바카라” removing Iran바카라™s Supreme Leader.

Article 110 of Iran바카라™s Constitution defines the Supreme Leader바카라™s powers, which include declaring war and peace, and commanding the mobilization of the armed forces.

The Guardian Council

Another body, the Guardian Council is tasked with ensuring that legislation passed by Iran's parliament complies with the constitution and Islamic principles. The 12-member body wields significant power. While six members are clerics appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, the remaining six are selected by the parliament and are legal scholars.

Beyond its legislative role, the Council also vets candidates for key elected bodies, including the presidency, parliament, and the Assembly of Experts.  

As of now, Ahmad Jannati, the Supreme Leader바카라™s ally, has chaired the Guardian Council since 1992.

Expediency Discernment Council

This Council is also fundamental in Iran바카라™s political framework. Its original task was to resolve legislative disagreements between the parliament and the Guardian Council 바카라” especially in the context of bills inconsistent with Islamic law or the constitution. It has now grown into a powerful unelected body.

Its members, chosen by the Supreme Leader himself, include high-ranking clerics, military commanders, former presidents, and technocrats. While officially advisory, the council often operates as an extension of the Supreme Leader바카라™s reach.

Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Formed after the Islamic Revolution, the IRGC began as a volunteer militia charged with defending the newly-formed Islamic Republic. However, its role increased during the Iran-Iraq War (1980바카라“1988), emerging as a parallel military power. 

After the war, the IRGC became integral to reconstruction efforts, becoming vital in Iran바카라™s economy, infrastructure, and politics바카라”a role it continues to wield with significant influence today. 

The Commander-in-Chief is General Mohammad Pakpour, who was appointed in June 2025. Its former Commander-in-Chief, Hossein Salami, was killed in the June 13 attack. 

Chief of staff of Iran바카라™s Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholamali Rashid and commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were also killed.