Iran is governed as an Islamic Republic, a system established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The country's political system is a complex mix of theocratic and democratic elements, with ultimate authority vested in religious institutions. Here’s a breakdown of who holds power in Iran:

1. Supreme Leader (Rahbar) – The Highest Authority

• Current Leader: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (since 1989)
• Powers:
• Controls the military (IRGC) and judiciary
• Appoints key officials (judges, state media heads, Friday prayer leaders)
• Can veto laws and dismiss elected officials
• Sets Iran’s foreign and domestic policy direction

2. The Guardian Council – Religious Oversight

• Composition: 12 members (6 clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader, 6 jurists approved by Parliament)
• Powers:
• Vets all political candidates (disqualifies reformists and opposition figures)
• Approves or rejects laws based on Islamic principles

3. The President – Head of Government (Limited Power)

• Current President: Ebrahim Raisi (hardline conservative, elected in 2021)
• Role: Manages day-to-day governance but is subordinate to the Supreme Leader
• Elections: Held every 4 years, but candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council

4. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – Military & Economic Power

• Role: Protects the Islamic Republic’s ideology, controls Iran’s missile/nuclear programs
• Influence: Runs vast business empires, suppresses protests, operates abroad (e.g., supporting Hezbollah, Hamas, and regional militias)

5. Assembly of Experts – Future Leadership

• Role: Elects and can theoretically remove the Supreme Leader (though this has never happened)
• Members: 88 clerics elected every 8 years (heavily vetted by the Guardian Council)

6. Parliament (Majlis) – Weak Legislative Power

• Role: Passes laws, but they must align with Islamic law and can be blocked by the Guardian Council
• Elections: Held every 4 years, but reformist candidates are often banned

Who Really Controls Iran?

While Iran has elections, real power lies with unelected religious institutions led by the Supreme Leader and backed by the IRGC. The system is designed to prevent secular or reformist forces from gaining significant influence.

Would you like more details on any specific aspect of Iran’s power structure?

Iran is controlled by a complex system of power centered around the Supreme Leader, currently Ali Khamenei. The Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority as the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and oversees key institutions like the judiciary and media[1][2]. Additionally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), led by Khamenei, plays a pivotal role in both military and economic spheres, influencing domestic and foreign policy[5]. Other significant bodies include the Guardian Council, which vets candidates and legislation, and the Expediency Discernment Council, which mediates between the parliament and the Guardian Council[4]. Despite the presence of a president and a legislature, these institutions are largely guided by the Supreme Leader's policies[2][4].