Iranian Leadership within Iran Political Structure

Iranian Leadership Position in Iran Political Structure

Iranian leadership, which is in the hands of a supreme leader, is the highest authority in Iran political structure. Such a leadership exercises combined political and religious power. In other words, in Islamic Republic of Iran, Iranian leadership is a manifestation of the integration of religion and politics.

Qualifications and Conditions for Iranian Leadership

There are some important points that are the requirements for a person to become the supreme leader in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He should be a religious scholar, as required for performing the functions of mufti in different fields of fiqh, religious doctrine. He should be a justice and pious person, as required for the leadership of the Islamic people. He should have the right political and social perspicacity, prudence, courage, administrative facilities and adequate capability for leadership.

If there are more than a person qualified to be the supreme leader, the one possessing the better jurisprudential and political perspicacity will be considered privileged to become the supreme leader.

Authority of Iranian Leadership in Iran Political Structure

The supreme leader, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, is the ultimate power to exercise several important decisions. Some of them are:

Define and supervise the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Function as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, meaning he has the direct authority over the military and security of the country;
Issue decrees for national referenda;
Declare war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces

Election and Dismissal of Iranian Leadership

The only power over Iranian leadership within the Iranian political structure is the Assembly of Experts. The supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran is elected by the vote of this assembly.

The assembly of experts has got the sole authority to supervise the function of the supreme leader and dismiss him if he does not comply with his legal duties and replace him at any time.

Iranian Leadership Council

When a supreme leader fails to fulfill his constitutional duties or lose his qualifications, he will be discerned to be dismissed by the assembly of experts. If the country loses its supreme leader as a result of death, resignation or dismissal, the leadership council takes his place temporarily until the next supreme leader is appointed.

Such a council consists of president, head of the judiciary power and a faqih, a religious expert, from the Guardian Council, upon the decision of the Nation's Exigency Council.

Institutions & Agencies under Direct Supervision of Iranian Leadership

There are several institutions and agencies that are only accountable to the supreme leader and are overseen by the leader through his representatives. They include: