Iran

Overview

Iran’s current political system is based on the 1979 Constitution that followed the Islamic Revolution and amendments passed by popular referendum in 1989. While parliament and the president are directly elected, power in Iran is largely consolidated within a few governing bodies. The Supreme Leader, Iran’s highest-ranking political, military, and religious authority, and the twelve-member Guardian Council, an appointed body of legal specialists and clerics, have the ability to veto any legislation they deem incompatible with Shar’ia law.