Supreme Leader of Iran 

Iran

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The post of Supreme Leader (Persian: رهبر انقلاب, Rahbare Enqelab,1 lit. Leader of the Revolution, or مقام رهبری, Maghame Rahbari,2 lit. Leadership Authority) was created in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the highest ranking political and religious authority of the nation, in accordance with the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists.3 The title "Supreme" Leader (Persian: رهبر معظم, Rahbare Moazzam), is often used as a sign of respect; however, this terminology is not found in constitution of Iran, which simply referred to the "Leader" (rahbar).

More powerful than the president of Iran, the Leader appoints the heads of many powerful posts - the commanders of the armed forces, the director of the national radio and television network, the heads of the major religious foundations, the prayer leaders in city mosques, and the members of national security councils dealing with defence and foreign affairs. He also appoints the chief judge, the chief prosecutor, special tribunals and, with the help of the chief judge, the 12 jurists of the Guardian Council – the powerful body that decides both what bills may become law and who may run for president or parliament.4

Iran has had two Supreme Leaders. Currently the post is occupied by Ali Khamenei.

Contents

Mandate and status

The Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, which is also in charge of overseeing the Supreme Leader, and also has the power to dismiss him. As the name indicates, the Supreme Leader is considered as the ultimate head of the Iranian political and governmental establishment, above that of Iran's president. According to the constitution, he has the last say in internal and foreign policies, control of all of the armed forces (Army, Revolutionary Guards, Police), and control of state broadcast and others (see below). The head of the Judicial branch (in Persian: رئیس قوه قضائیه) is also directly appointed by him.

The President of Iran, who is elected by the public vote, is the Executive President (Head of government). In 1989, the Prime Minister's office was merged with the figurehead President's office to form the current post of President of Iran. However, certain executive powers, such as commandment of the armed forces and declaration of war and peace, remain in the hands of the Supreme Leader.5

Functions and duties of The Supreme Leader

  1. Delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran after consultation with the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council.
  2. Supervision over the proper execution of the general policies of the systems.
  3. Issuing decrees for national referendums.
  4. Assuming supreme command of the armed forces.
  5. Declaration of war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces.
  6. Appointment, dismissal, and acceptance of resignation of:
    1. the fuqaha' on the Guardian Council.
    2. the supreme judicial authority of the country.
    3. the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
    4. the chief of the joint staff.
    5. the chief commander of the armed forces of the country
    6. the supreme commanders of the armed forces.
  7. Resolving differences between the three wings of the armed forces and regulation of their relations.
  8. Resolving the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods, through the Nation's Expediency Council.
  9. Signing the decree formalizing the elections in Iran for the President of the Republic by the people.
  10. Dismissal of the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interests of the country, after the Supreme Court holds him guilty of the violation of his constitutional duties, or after a vote of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) testifying to his incompetence on the basis of Article 89 of the Constitution.
  11. Pardoning or reducing the sentences of convicts, within the framework of Islamic criteria, on a recommendation (to that effect) from the head of the Judiciary. The Leader may delegate part of his duties and powers to another person.

List of Supreme Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979-Present)

Name Picture Born-Died Took office Left office
Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 1902 - 1989 3 December 1979 3 June 1989
Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 1939 - 4 June 1989 Present

See also

References

  1. ^ Article 108, Iranian Constitution
  2. ^ Article 89-91, Iranian Constitution
  3. ^ Article 5, Iranian Constitution
  4. ^ "Who's in Charge?" by Ervand Abrahamian London Review of Books, 6 November 2008
  5. ^ Article 110, Iranian Constitution

Sources and references