In the heart of Tehran, where the grandiosity of the Golestan Palace echoes the rich and tumultuous history of Iran, lies a government structure that is as intricate as it is controversial. Established in the wake of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, this theocratic republic wields a unique blend of religious authority and political power. Yet, beneath its formal structures and ceremonial facades, there exists a darker narrative of state-sponsored terrorism and human rights abuses that has garnered international condemnation.

The Supreme Leader

At the pinnacle of Iran's political hierarchy is the Supreme Leader, a position currently held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This role, created by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, combines religious and political authority in one figure. The Supreme Leader commands the armed forces, controls the judiciary, and has significant influence over the executive and legislative branches. This concentration of power has enabled the Supreme Leader to maintain a tight grip on Iran's political landscape, often prioritizing ideological goals over democratic principles.

The President

Below the Supreme Leader is the President, the head of government responsible for implementing domestic and foreign policies. Although elected by popular vote, the President's powers are significantly curtailed by the Supreme Leader and other conservative institutions. This dual system often creates a facade of democracy while ensuring that ultimate control remains with theocratic authorities. Presidents like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani have faced immense pressure from hardliners, limiting their ability to enact reforms.

The Guardian Council

A key institution in maintaining the regime's ideological purity is the Guardian Council. Comprised of twelve members, six of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader and six by the judiciary, this council has the power to vet electoral candidates and veto parliamentary legislation. By disqualifying reformist candidates and blocking progressive laws, the Guardian Council ensures that the political landscape remains firmly under conservative control.

The Assembly of Experts

The Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics elected by the public, ostensibly holds the power to appoint and dismiss the Supreme Leader. However, the Guardian Council approves candidates for the Assembly, ensuring alignment with the ruling ideology. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of power that limits genuine oversight and accountability.

State-Sponsored Terrorism

Beyond its borders, Iran has been accused of being a leading state sponsor of terrorism. The U.S. Department of State, among others, has repeatedly highlighted Iran’s support for militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine, and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria. These groups have been implicated in numerous terrorist attacks, destabilizing the region and exacerbating conflicts. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its elite Quds Force play a central role in training, funding, and arming these organizations, extending Iran's influence through proxy warfare.

For instance, Hezbollah, founded with Iranian support in the 1980s, has evolved into a powerful paramilitary organization. It has been responsible for attacks such as the 1983 bombings of U.S. Marine and French paratrooper barracks in Beirut, which killed 299 servicemen. Iran's support for Hezbollah underscores its strategy of using proxy groups to project power and challenge its adversaries, particularly Israel and the United States.

Human Rights Violations

Internally, Iran's record on human rights is deeply troubling. The government routinely suppresses political dissent, censors the media, and curtails freedoms of speech and assembly. Arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial executions are frequently reported by human rights organizations. The judiciary, under the influence of the Supreme Leader, often conducts trials lacking due process, especially against political activists, journalists, and ethnic and religious minorities.

Women and LGBTQ+ individuals face systemic discrimination. Despite some legal reforms, women's rights are severely restricted in areas such as marriage, divorce, and custody. The enforcement of strict dress codes and the prosecution of those who defy them highlight the regime's control over personal freedoms. LGBTQ+ individuals risk severe punishment, including the death penalty, for their sexual orientation or gender identity, reflecting the regime's harsh stance on social issues.

The Revolutionary Guard

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite military force established to protect the Islamic Republic, has grown into a powerful political and economic entity. The IRGC's involvement in various sectors of the economy, including construction, telecommunications, and oil, has created a parallel power structure that undermines the authority of civilian institutions. Its Quds Force, responsible for extraterritorial operations, is instrumental in executing Iran’s foreign policy objectives through clandestine means.

The IRGC’s economic activities often involve corruption and coercion, further entrenching its influence. The organization's control over lucrative industries has not only enriched its leaders but also allowed it to finance its operations independently of state oversight. This autonomy poses significant challenges to reformist efforts and contributes to the overall opacity and inefficiency of Iran's economic system.

What does it all mean?

Iran's government structure is a complex interplay of theocratic authority and republican elements, designed to ensure the dominance of religious leaders while providing a veneer of democratic legitimacy. The Supreme Leader's overarching control, combined with institutions like the Guardian Council and the IRGC, creates a tightly controlled political environment where dissent is harshly suppressed, and democratic aspirations are systematically thwarted.

Internationally, Iran's support for terrorist organizations and its role in regional conflicts underscore its strategy of using asymmetric warfare to achieve its strategic objectives. Domestically, pervasive human rights abuses and systemic corruption reflect a regime more concerned with maintaining power than addressing the needs and rights of its people. As Iran navigates its future, the interplay of these internal and external dynamics will continue to shape its path and impact its relationships with the global community.