International Relations GS 2 In the news 12 times

Iran's Political System

Velayat-e Faqih and the Supreme Leader

The Islamic Republic of Iran is founded on the political doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), formulated by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in a series of lectures delivered while in exile in Iraq in 1970 (published as Islamic Governance / Hukumat-e Islami). The doctrine holds that in the absence of the Hidden Imam (the 12th Imam of Twelver Shia Islam, believed to be in occultation), political authority must be exercised by the most qualified Islamic jurist.

Key details

The 1979 Iranian Constitution (significantly revised in 1989) institutionalises Velayat-e Faqih: the Supreme Leader holds final authority over all affairs of state, above the elected President and Parliament
Article 110 of the Iranian Constitution enumerates the Supreme Leader's powers: delineating general policies, commanding armed forces, declaring war and peace, appointing heads of judiciary, heads of state media, half of the Guardian Council, and the IRGC commanders
The Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts (88 clerics, popularly elected for 8-year terms) and serves a life tenure
Two Supreme Leaders since 1979: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1979-1989) and Ali Khamenei (1989-2026)
The Guardian Council (12 members: 6 appointed by Supreme Leader, 6 by judiciary) vets all legislation and candidates for elected office — effectively ensuring the Supreme Leader's ideological line pervades the entire state

In the news

● Tracked since February 28, 2026 · last seen July 03, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

03 Jul '26

West Asia war LIVE: Supreme Leader Khamenei's body arrives at Tehran religious complex for funeral, says state media