Velayat-e Faqih
The Constitutional Foundation of Iran's Political Order
Velayat-e faqih (Persian: Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) is the foundational doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran, first systematised by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in his 1970 lectures at Najaf. The concept holds that in the absence of the Twelfth Imam (who, in Twelver Shia belief, went into occultation in 874 CE), political and religious governance must be entrusted to the most qualified Islamic jurist (faqih). Khomeini argued that the faqih possessed absolute guardianship (velayat-e motlaqe) over the Muslim community — a significant expansion of the traditional, limited scope of the concept. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, velayat-e faqih was codified in Iran's Constitution, establishing the position of Supreme Leader (Rahbar) as the apex of political and religious authority.
- The Supreme Leader oversees: the armed forces (including the IRGC), the judiciary, state media (IRIB), the Guardian Council, the Expediency Council, and foreign policy direction.
- Article 110 of Iran's Constitution enumerates the Supreme Leader's powers.
- The position was held by Ayatollah Khomeini (1979–1989) and then Ali Khamenei (1989–2026) before the current transition.
- Khomeini held the title of "Imam" — a term not applied to subsequent Supreme Leaders who lack equivalent religious standing.
● Tracked since March 01, 2026 · last seen July 04, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes