Since Mar 2026
Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei
Son of Ali Khamenei (assassinated Feb 2026). Elected by Assembly of Experts. Lifetime appointment. Ultimate religious & political authority.
Powers: Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, appoints Chief Justice, appoints 6 Guardian Council members, appoints Expediency Council, controls state media, sets domestic/foreign policy, can dismiss cabinet ministers, vetoes parliamentary laws via Guardian Council.
President
Masoud Pezeshkian
Reformist heart surgeon. In office since July 2024. Head of government, second-in-command of executive branch.
Powers: Chairs cabinet, appoints ministers (pending parliamentary vote), implements Supreme Leader decrees. Clashes with IRGC over war's economic impact.
IRGC Commander
Ahmad Vahidi
Head of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Hardliner. Power shifted to IRGC after Khamenei assassination.
Powers: Commands IRGC (ground, air, naval, Quds Force), controls vast economic empire, significant political influence, de facto power center post-Feb 2026.
Chief Justice
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei
Appointed by Supreme Leader. Head of judiciary.
Powers: Appoints 6 Guardian Council members (with parliamentary vote), controls judiciary, oversees courts and prosecution.
Assembly of Experts
~88 Members
Ayatollahs & mujtahids. Elect, supervise, and can dismiss Supreme Leader. Meetings confidential. Dominated by conservatives.
Powers: Constitutional authority to appoint/remove Supreme Leader (Article 111). In practice, never challenges him. Candidates vetted by Guardian Council.
Guardian Council
12 Members
6 jurists. Half appointed by Supreme Leader, half by Chief Justice (parliamentary vote). 6-year phased terms.
Powers: Vets ALL election candidates (president, parliament, Assembly of Experts), vetoes parliamentary laws, ensures legislation complies with constitution & Sharia.
Expediency Council
27 Members
All appointed by Supreme Leader every 5 years. Advises on policy, resolves parliament/Guardian Council disputes.
Powers: Advises Supreme Leader on domestic/foreign policy, mediates legislative disputes, supervises government branches.
Parliament (Majlis)
290 Seats
Speaker: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (since 2020). Conservatives hold 233/290 seats. 41% turnout in 2024 election.
Powers: Introduces & passes legislation (subject to Guardian Council approval), approves cabinet ministers, can impeach president.
Armed Forces
Artesh (Regular)
Ground Force, Air Force, Navy. Regular military. Under Supreme Leader command.
Powers: National defense, border security. Subordinate to Supreme Leader as Commander-in-Chief.
IRGC Forces
Quds Force & Other
Elite units, missile program, cyber warfare, proxy networks (Hezbollah, Houthis, Hamas). Vast economic interests.
Powers: Foreign operations (Quds Force), domestic security, economic empire, political influence. Most powerful military force in Iran.
Judiciary
Supreme Court
Under Chief Justice. Independent branch in theory, controlled by Supreme Leader in practice.
Powers: Oversees all courts, prosecution, prisons. Chief Justice appointed by Supreme Leader.
State Media
IRIB
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. State-controlled TV & radio.
Powers: All national broadcasting under Supreme Leader control. Propaganda, censorship, public messaging.