Overview
The Expediency Discernment Council (Persian: مجمع تشخیص مصلحت نظام, Majma'-e Tašxis-e Maslahat-e Nezâm) is an administrative assembly of Iran appointed by the Supreme Leader. Created by constitutional revision in 1988, it was originally set up to resolve disputes between Parliament (Majlis) and the Guardian Council.
However, its true power lies in its advisory role to the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader has delegated supervisory powers over all branches of government to the Council. Members are chosen by the Supreme Leader every five years.
Constitutional Powers
- Resolve disputes: Settle conflicts between Parliament and the Guardian Council over legislation
- Advisory role: Advise the Supreme Leader on domestic and foreign policy
- Supervisory powers: Oversee all branches of government (delegated by Supreme Leader)
- Interim leadership: If the Supreme Leader position is vacant, a council composed of the President, Chief Justice, and a Guardian Council jurist chosen by the EDC temporarily discharges the Leader's functions
- Legislative authority: Can pass temporary laws (effective for three-year periods) when Parliament and Guardian Council cannot agree
Leadership
Sadiq Larijani
Chairman (since 30 December 2018)
Born 1957. Senior cleric and politician. Served as Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council (2007-2013). Brother of former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. Member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei
Secretary (since 9 May 2026)
Senior official appointed as Secretary of the Expediency Council in May 2026, succeeding Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Previously served in various government positions.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Notable Members
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Member
Born 1956. Former President of Iran (2005-2013). Known for his populist rhetoric and controversial foreign policy. Appointed to the Expediency Council in 2013.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Mohsen Rezaee
Member & SNSC Secretary (since August 2026)
Born 1942. Major General. Former Commander of the IRGC (1981-1989). Ran for president in 2005 and 2017. Currently serves as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Ali Akbar Velayati
Member
Born 1939. Senior foreign policy advisor to the Khamenei family for decades. Former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (1989-2007). Known for his conservative views on Iran's nuclear program and foreign relations.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Saeed Jalili
Member
Born 1965. Former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (2007-2013). Led Iran's nuclear negotiations during the Ahmadinejad presidency. Known for his hardline stance on nuclear issues.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel
Member
Born 1934. Senior cleric and former Speaker of Parliament (1980-1984). Long-time member of the Expediency Council. Known for his conservative views and close ties to the Khamenei family.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Mohammad Mokhber
Member & Acting President (May-July 2024)
Born 1951. Senior economic official. Served as Acting President after Ebrahim Raisi's death in May 2024. Former head of the Budget and Economic Policy Council. Known for his expertise in economic policy.
Appointed by Supreme Leader
Ex Officio Members
The following officials are members by virtue of their positions:
- President: Masoud Pezeshkian (since July 2024)
- Parliament Speaker: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
- Chief Justice: Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i
- Chief-of-Staff: Ali Abdollahi (since August 2026)
- SNSC Secretary: Mohsen Rezaee (since August 2026)
History
The Expediency Council was created in 1988 to resolve legislative gridlock between radical factions of Parliament and the Guardian Council. Originally a 13-member body, it has grown to 48 seats. The Council's influence expanded significantly after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election in 2005, when the Supreme Leader delegated supervisory powers over all branches of government to it.
