Iran's Political Structure
Supreme Leader and IRGC
Iran's governance under the Islamic Republic is characterised by a dual structure: elected institutions (President, Majlis/Parliament) operating under the authority of a Supreme Leader (Vali-e Faqih) who holds ultimate authority over all state matters, including the military and nuclear policy. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a separate armed force parallel to the regular military, with deep economic and political influence.
- Supreme Leader (Vali-e Faqih): Ali Khamenei held this position from 1989 until his death in February 2026; succeeded by Mojtaba Khamenei (elected by the Assembly of Experts, March 2026)
- Assembly of Experts: 88 elected clerics who appoint and theoretically supervise the Supreme Leader
- IRGC: established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution; guards against internal and external threats; controls the Quds Force (extraterritorial operations) and the nuclear missile program
- IRGC was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) by the US in 2019 — a designation with significant implications for international financial transactions involving Iran
- Nuclear decisions are ultimately made by the Supreme Leader, not the President
● Tracked since February 28, 2026 · last seen May 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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