Assembly of Experts
Constitutional Role and Limitations
The Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khobregan) is an 88-member deliberative body of Islamic jurists elected by popular vote for eight-year terms. It holds the constitutional authority to appoint, supervise, and — in theory — dismiss the Supreme Leader. However, all candidates to the Assembly must first be vetted and approved by the Guardian Council, whose members are themselves appointed (directly or indirectly) by the Supreme Leader, creating a circular power structure.
- Constitutional basis: Article 107 (election of Supreme Leader), Article 111 (supervision and dismissal).
- Members must be Mujtahids — Islamic jurists qualified to exercise independent legal reasoning (ijtihad).
- Has never once dismissed or formally questioned a sitting Supreme Leader in its entire history, leading many observers to describe it as more ceremonial than independent.
- The Guardian Council's screening of candidates for the Assembly effectively gives the Supreme Leader indirect control over who selects the next Supreme Leader.
- Current Assembly was elected in March 2024 for an eight-year term.
● Tracked since March 01, 2026 · last seen July 04, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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