Iran's Government Structure: A Deep Dive Into Its Unique System

Treva McCullough V 23 Jun 2025

**Understanding the intricate web of power that defines the government structure of Iran can be a challenging endeavor for many outside observers. Often described as complex, opaque, and even contradictory, Iran's political system defies easy categorization. It is a unique blend, famously articulated as neither quite a democracy nor a pure theocracy, but rather a sophisticated intertwining of both.** This article aims to dissect the structure of the Iranian government, delving into its key components, their roles in policymaking and execution, and the fascinating interplay between elected institutions and unelected, religiously-appointed authorities that shape Iran’s posture on the global stage. The Islamic Republic of Iran, established in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, developed a distinct governance model that balances popular sovereignty with the ultimate authority of religious leadership. This dual nature is fundamental to understanding how power operates in the country, influencing everything from domestic policy to international relations. We will explore the various branches and institutions, shedding light on the roles of the Supreme Leader, the President, and other pivotal bodies that collectively form the backbone of Iran's political landscape. --- ## Table of Contents * [The Supreme Leader: Iran's Ultimate Authority](#the-supreme-leader-irans-ultimate-authority) * [The Presidency: Head of Government and Elected Official](#the-presidency-head-of-government-and-elected-official) * [The Three Branches of Government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial](#the-three-branches-of-government-executive-legislative-and-judicial) * [The Executive Branch](#the-executive-branch) * [The Legislative Branch](#the-legislative-branch) * [The Judicial Branch](#the-judicial-branch) * [Key Unelected Institutions: Guardians of the Revolution](#key-unelected-institutions-guardians-of-the-revolution) * [The Guardian Council](#the-guardian-council) * [The Assembly of Experts](#the-assembly-of-experts) * [The Expediency Discernment Council](#the-expediency-discernment-council) * [The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): A Parallel Power](#the-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-irgc-a-parallel-power) * [Electoral Politics and Popular Sovereignty](#electoral-politics-and-popular-sovereignty) * [Local Governance: City and Village Councils](#local-governance-city-and-village-councils) * [The Budgetary Process: Fiscal Management in Iran](#the-budgetary-process-fiscal-management-in-iran) --- ## The Supreme Leader: Iran's Ultimate Authority At the very top of Iran's power structure is the Supreme Leader, a position of unparalleled authority that serves as the country's head of state. This office embodies the theocratic element of Iran's governance, with the Supreme Leader holding ultimate say on major state policies, foreign affairs, and military matters. The current Supreme Leader is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the revered father of the Iranian Revolution, upon Khomeini's death in 1989. These two men are the only individuals to have held this profound office, underscoring its unique and foundational role in the Islamic Republic. The Supreme Leader's powers are extensive and far-reaching. They include the authority to appoint and dismiss the commanders of the armed forces, the head of the judiciary, and the directors of state media. Crucially, the Supreme Leader also has the power to approve the appointment of the President and can dismiss them, highlighting the President's subordinate position despite being the highest popularly elected official. This ultimate authority ensures that the principles of Islamic law and the revolutionary ideals are upheld across all governmental functions. The government legitimacy is based on the twin pillars of popular sovereignty and the rule of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, creating a delicate balance that defines the unique **government structure of Iran**. ## The Presidency: Head of Government and Elected Official While the Supreme Leader holds the ultimate authority as the head of state, the President of Iran functions as the country's head of government. The president is the second person of government and is the highest nominally popularly elected official in Iran. This popular election lends a significant democratic facade to the system, allowing citizens to directly choose their chief executive. The current president of Iran is Masoud Pezeshkian, who, like his predecessors, operates within the framework established by the Supreme Leader. Despite being popularly elected, the President is explicitly subordinate to the Supreme Leader. This hierarchical relationship means that the President's policies and decisions must align with the broader directives and vision set by the Supreme Leader. The President is responsible for implementing the Supreme Leader's policies, managing the executive branch, and overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the government. This includes proposing the government budget, which is established by the Management and Planning Organization of Iran before being presented to the legislative body. The role of the President is a critical component of the **government structure of Iran**, demonstrating the blend of electoral politics with overarching religious authority. ## The Three Branches of Government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial The government of Iran is characterized by a complex structure that consists of three primary branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch plays a distinct role in the overall governance and political framework of the Islamic Republic, operating under the principles of Islamic law alongside elements of civil law. This adherence to both religious and civil legal frameworks further illustrates the unique nature of Iran's system. ### The Executive Branch The executive branch is headed by the President, as discussed, and is responsible for implementing laws, managing the bureaucracy, and conducting foreign policy. It comprises various ministries, governmental organizations, and state-owned enterprises that carry out the daily functions of the state. The President appoints ministers, subject to parliamentary approval, and oversees their performance. This branch is central to the practical execution of governance and the delivery of public services within the **government structure of Iran**. ### The Legislative Branch The legislative branch in Iran is primarily represented by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, or Majlis. This unicameral body is responsible for drafting and passing legislation, approving the national budget, and ratifying international treaties. Members of the Majlis are directly elected by popular vote, representing another significant democratic element within the Iranian system. However, all legislation passed by the Majlis must be reviewed and approved by the Guardian Council to ensure its conformity with Islamic law and the Constitution, demonstrating the checks and balances inherent in Iran's unique governance model. ### The Judicial Branch The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting and enforcing laws, administering justice, and ensuring the adherence of all governmental bodies to the Constitution and Islamic principles. The head of the judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader, emphasizing the religious leadership's control over the legal system. The judiciary operates under the principles of Islamic Sharia law, which forms the bedrock of Iran's legal framework. This branch plays a crucial role in upholding the religious values and revolutionary ideals that underpin the entire **government structure of Iran**. ## Key Unelected Institutions: Guardians of the Revolution Beyond the conventional three branches, Iran's political landscape is heavily influenced by several powerful unelected institutions. These bodies are primarily composed of clerics and jurists, serving as crucial checks on the elected branches and ensuring the Islamic character of the state. They represent the "unelected powers" that, along with the "elected institutions," work together to shape the government and control Iran’s posture on the global stage. ### The Guardian Council Perhaps the most influential of these unelected bodies is the Guardian Council. This council consists of 12 members: six Islamic jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader, and six jurists specializing in different areas of law nominated by the head of the judiciary and approved by the Majlis. The Guardian Council has two primary and extremely significant functions: 1. **Vetting Candidates:** It vets all candidates for presidential, parliamentary, and Assembly of Experts elections, effectively determining who can run for office. This power significantly shapes the political landscape and the range of choices available to voters. 2. **Vetoing Legislation:** It reviews all legislation passed by the Majlis to ensure its compatibility with Islamic law and the Constitution. If a bill is deemed un-Islamic or unconstitutional, it is sent back to the Majlis for revision. This provides a powerful religious veto over the legislative process. ### The Assembly of Experts The Assembly of Experts is another critical unelected body, composed of 88 high-ranking clerics who are popularly elected, though candidates are vetted by the Guardian Council. Its primary responsibility is to supervise the Supreme Leader and, crucially, to choose a new Supreme Leader upon the death or incapacitation of the current one. This body holds immense theoretical power, as it is the only institution that can hold the Supreme Leader accountable or even remove them. This unique mechanism underscores the intricate balance within the **government structure of Iran**. ### The Expediency Discernment Council The Expediency Discernment Council acts as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader and serves as an arbitration body to resolve disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council. When the Guardian Council rejects a bill passed by the Majlis and the Majlis insists on its original version, the dispute is referred to the Expediency Discernment Council for a final decision. This council's members are appointed by the Supreme Leader, further solidifying the religious leadership's influence over legislative outcomes. ## The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): A Parallel Power Established in the wake of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began as a volunteer militia tasked with protecting the newly established regime. Over the decades, it has evolved into a powerful, multifaceted military, political, and economic organization that operates in parallel to Iran's regular armed forces. The IRGC is fiercely loyal to the Supreme Leader and plays a significant role in safeguarding the Islamic Revolution's ideals both domestically and regionally. The IRGC's influence extends far beyond conventional military defense. It has its own intelligence apparatus, controls significant portions of Iran's economy through various holding companies and foundations, and is deeply involved in internal security. Its Quds Force is responsible for extraterritorial operations, projecting Iran's influence across the Middle East. The IRGC's pervasive presence and influence make it a critical, albeit often opaque, pillar of the **government structure of Iran**, acting as a key instrument for the Supreme Leader's authority and the preservation of the revolutionary system. ## Electoral Politics and Popular Sovereignty Though to the rest of the world, Iran seems to have an undemocratic system of government, Iran’s political structure is, in fact, democratic, though intermixed with elements of theocracy. This is a nuanced point that often leads to misunderstanding. While the country holds presidential elections, parliamentary elections, and elections for the Assembly of Experts and local councils, its most powerful figures are not elected by popular vote. The Supreme Leader, for instance, is chosen by the Assembly of Experts, not directly by the populace. However, the elections for the President and the Majlis are genuinely contested, with different political factions—often categorized as hardliners and reformers—vying for power. The existence of national political parties for Iran's government, though subject to vetting by the Guardian Council, indicates a degree of political pluralism. Government legitimacy is explicitly based on the twin pillars of popular sovereignty and the rule of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. This blend of electoral politics and theocratic oversight creates a unique political dynamic, where public participation coexists with ultimate religious authority, defining the intricate **government structure of Iran**. ## Local Governance: City and Village Councils Beyond the national level, the **government structure of Iran** also includes local governance bodies, specifically the City and Village Councils of Iran. These councils are elected by local residents and are responsible for managing local affairs, including urban and rural development, public services, and cultural activities. While their powers are limited compared to national bodies, they represent a vital layer of democratic participation at the grassroots level. The existence of these councils demonstrates a commitment to localized decision-making and community representation, even within a centralized political system. ## The Budgetary Process: Fiscal Management in Iran Understanding the fiscal management within Iran's government structure provides further insight into its operational mechanisms. Iran has two types of budget: the Public or General Government Budget and the Overall or Total Government Budget. The public budget covers the central government's revenues and expenditures, while the overall budget includes state-owned companies, banks, and other public institutions. Iran's fiscal year (FY) runs from March 21 to March 20 of the following year. The budget is established by the Management and Planning Organization of Iran, a key governmental body responsible for economic planning and development. Once prepared, the budget is then proposed by the government (executive branch) to the Majlis for approval. This process, while seemingly conventional, is ultimately influenced by the broader directives and priorities set by the Supreme Leader and the Expediency Discernment Council, especially concerning strategic economic policies. The power over the government budget is a significant tool in the overall control exerted by the higher authorities within the **government structure of Iran**. --- ## Conclusion The **government structure of Iran** is a fascinating and often challenging subject to comprehend, marked by its unique synthesis of democratic principles and theocratic rule. At its core, this layered system comprises unelected powers, most notably the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council, which hold ultimate authority and act as guardians of the Islamic Revolution's ideals. Alongside these are elected institutions like the Presidency and the Majlis, which provide avenues for popular participation and representation. This intricate interplay between religious authority and popular sovereignty shapes every aspect of governance, from policymaking to the daily lives of its citizens. The Iranian constitution outlines and defines the political, economic, and social structure of the country, providing the legal framework for this complex system. While the lines between hardliners and reformers, revolutionary and national interests, and theocracy and electoral politics can often seem blurred to outsiders, one truth emerges clear: the office of the Supreme Leader holds the ultimate authority, guiding the nation's trajectory. We hope this comprehensive overview has provided clear and understandable answers to fundamental questions about the most complex facets of the Iranian regime. Understanding this unique balance is crucial for anyone seeking to grasp the dynamics of modern Iran. What are your thoughts on this complex system? Share your insights in the comments below, or explore our other articles for more in-depth analyses of global political structures.