Islamic
Republic of Iran
The
Leadership
(Source:
Iran Year Book, 1996)
The highest authority in the Islamic Republic is
Leader - or alternatively the Leadership Council - who exercises the combined
supreme political and religious power and, indeed, is a manifestation of
the integration of politics with religion (Article 5 of the constitution).
Furthermore, the constitution has provided for
the election of a Leader or a Leadership Council and the qualifications
of the Leader or members of the Leadership Council (Article 107).
The first leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ayatollah Khomeini, assumed his position as the founder of the Islamic
republic and the theological protector (vali-e-faqih). Duties, powers and
qualifications of the leaders, or the Leadership Council, as the case may
be, have been specified by the constitution (Article 109-111).
After demise of Ayatollah Khomeini on 3 June 1989
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamanei was elected by the Assembly of Experts in
May 1989 as the new leader of the Islamic Republic.
There are several institutions and agencies which
are not accountable to any branch of state, and are overseen by the leader
through his representatives. These include:
Panzdah Khordad Foundation (Bonyad-e Panzdah Khordad)
Martyr Foundation (Bonyad-e Shahid)
Housing Foundation (Bonyad-e Maskan)
Literacy Movement (Nehzat-e Savad-Amoozi)
Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (Shoraye
Aali Enqelab-e Farhangi)
Islamic Propaganda Organization (Sazeman-e Tablighat-e
Islami)
Land Allocation Committees (Hay'athaye Vagozari
Zamin)
Foundation of the Oppressed (bonyad-e Mostaz'afan)
The amendment of the constitution has modified the
constitution as follows:
the Leadership Council has been removed and the
Assembly of Experts for Leadership given the task of electing a single
leader. The constitution originally provided for election of a leader either
by the people, as in the case of Ayatollah Khomeini, or by the Assembly
of Experts. The related amendment has removed the first option. The Assembly
of Experts has also been given the task of dismissing the leader from his
position if he is incapable of carrying out his duties, or if he loses
the requirements of a leader, or if it becomes clear that he lacked some
of them from the beginning;
The leader is no longer required to be a supreme
theological authority (marja' taqlid) whom Shia Muslims follow. He should
possess adequate knowledge to issue edicts on the basis of various chapters
of the Islamic canon;
The powers and duties of the leader have been
set as follows, although he may delegate them to his representatives:
Deciding the overall policies of the country after
consultation with the Council for Determination of Exigencies - the leader
has the final say;
Ordering referenda;
Resignation of Islamic canonist members of the
Guardian Council, head of the judiciary, director of the Radio and Television
Organization, chief of army general staff, the commander of the Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps, and the commanders of the armed and security forces;
General command of the armed forces;
Declaring war and peace and ordering mobilization
of forces;
Resolving disputes between the heads of the three
branches of the state and regulating the relationship between them;
Signing the decree endorsing the president on
his election;
Dismissing the president in the national interest,
should a ruling of the Supreme Court find him in breach of his duties,
or a vote of Majlis disqualify him;
Pardoning prisoners or commuting their sentences
at the recommendation of the head of the judiciary;
Solving those problems which cannot be solved
by ordinary means, through the Council for Determination of Exigencies.
