Supreme Leader of Iran
In Iran, the Supreme Leader stands as the ultimate authority, a position unique in its blend of political and religious power, far surpassing that of the president. This lifetime appointment shapes every aspect of the nation, from its economy to its foreign policy, embodying a system born from revolutionary fervor. Understanding this pivotal role is key to grasping the complex dynamics of modern Iran. The Supreme Leader holds absolute political and religious authority in Iran, making final decisions across all governmental branches and national policies. This office, established after the 1979 revolution, is rooted in the theological concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih), granting ultimate power to a leading cleric. Despite being theoretically elected and supervised by the Assembly of Experts, the Supreme Leader's influence over candidate approval effectively ensures their unchallenged authority.
AI Summary
In Iran, the Supreme Leader stands as the ultimate authority, a position unique in its blend of political and religious power, far surpassing that of the president. This lifetime appointment shapes every aspect of the nation, from its economy to its foreign policy, embodying a system born from revolutionary fervor. Understanding this pivotal role is key to grasping the complex dynamics of modern Iran.
- The Supreme Leader holds absolute political and religious authority in Iran, making final decisions across all governmental branches and national policies.
- This office, established after the 1979 revolution, is rooted in the theological concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih), granting ultimate power to a leading cleric.
- Despite being theoretically elected and supervised by the Assembly of Experts, the Supreme Leader's influence over candidate approval effectively ensures their unchallenged authority.
Iran's Ultimate Authority: The Supreme Leader
Imagine a leader whose power transcends every governmental branch and national decision—that's the Supreme Leader of Iran. Officially known as the Supreme Leadership Authority, this individual is both the head of state and the paramount religious figure in the Islamic Republic, holding a position above even the president.
This isn't just a ceremonial role. The Supreme Leader wields control over the armed forces, the judiciary, state media, and crucial bodies like the Guardian Council and Expediency Discernment Council. Their decrees and final decisions touch every facet of Iranian life, from economic policy and education to environmental regulations and foreign relations.
A Revolution's Vision: Velayat-e Faqih
The office was born out of Iran's 1979 Constitution, a direct result of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's revolutionary vision. Khomeini introduced the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, or Velayat-e Faqih, which decreed that during the absence of the hidden Twelfth Imam, a leading Islamic jurist must govern the nation to protect it and ensure adherence to Islamic law.
Initially, the constitution mandated that the Supreme Leader be a Marja'-e taqlid—a 'source of emulation' and the highest-ranking cleric in Usuli Twelver Shia Islam. This meant they had to be an individual whose religious rulings were followed by many Shia Muslims.
However, a significant amendment in 1989 altered this requirement. It broadened the criteria, allowing for a lower-ranking cleric with sufficient 'Islamic scholarship' to assume the role. This change proved pivotal for the succession after Khomeini's death.
The Leaders of the Revolution
In its history, the Islamic Republic of Iran has seen only two Supreme Leaders. The first was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who established the system and led the nation from 1979 until his passing in 1989. His charisma and revolutionary fervor shaped the very foundation of the state.
Following Khomeini's death, Ali Khamenei—a cleric of comparatively lower rank at the time—was chosen to succeed him. He has held the position for over 35 years, becoming only the second lifetime officeholder to guide Iran.
The Selection Process: Appearance vs. Reality
Constitutionally, the Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body chosen by the people for eight-year terms. This assembly is also theoretically tasked with supervising and even dismissing the Supreme Leader—a powerful mandate on paper.
However, the reality presents a different picture. All candidates for the Assembly of Experts, along with presidential and parliamentary hopefuls, must first be vetted and approved by the Guardian Council. The twist? Half of the Guardian Council's members are directly appointed by the Supreme Leader, and the other half are appointed by the Chief Justice, who is also a direct appointee of the Supreme Leader.
This intricate web of appointments means that the Supreme Leader effectively controls who can even run for the Assembly of Experts. As a result, the Assembly has never publicly challenged or overseen any of the Supreme Leader's decisions, and their meetings remain strictly confidential.
Adding another layer of protection, the Supreme Leader is legally considered 'inviolable.' Questioning or insulting this figure is routinely met with severe punishment, solidifying their unassailable position within Iranian society.
Far-Reaching Powers and Duties
The authority of the Supreme Leader extends to virtually every corner of governance. This includes: - Delineating national policies in consultation with the Expediency Discernment Council. - Supervising the execution of these policies across all government branches. - Resolving conflicts between the executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
Beyond domestic oversight, the Supreme Leader is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This formidable power allows them to declare war and peace, mobilize troops, and appoint the highest commanders. They also have the unique ability to veto laws passed by the parliament, underscoring their supreme legislative influence.
A critical aspect of the Supreme Leader's authority is the power of appointment. They directly appoint, dismiss, or accept resignations from a vast array of key officials and council members, including:
These appointments ensure loyalty and alignment with the Supreme Leader's vision at every level of the state apparatus.
The six fuqaha (jurists) of the Guardian Council The Chief Justice of Iran, head of the judiciary Ministers of defense, intelligence, foreign affairs, and science The head of state broadcasting Chiefs of staff and top commanders of the armed forces
Even the President, though popularly elected, is inaugurated by the Supreme Leader and can be dismissed either by the Supreme Leader directly or following an impeachment vote by parliament, confirmed by the Supreme Leader. This illustrates where true ultimate power resides.
The Supreme Leader also holds the power to pardon or reduce sentences for convicts, based on recommendations from the judiciary. This ancient prerogative further solidifies their role as the ultimate arbiter of justice within the Islamic Republic.
The International Reach of Velayat-e Faqih
Iran's foreign policy is another domain directly controlled by the Supreme Leader's office. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs often handles protocol, but strategic decisions, particularly concerning regional alliances and interventions, come directly from the Supreme Leader.
This centralized control reflects the revolutionary ideology's ambition to establish a 'model society on the basis of Islamic norms.' The Constitution itself states that it 'intends to establish an ideal and model society on the basis of Islamic norms... to ensure the continuation of the Revolution at home and abroad'—aiming for a single world Islamic community.
Much like Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky envisioned a global communist revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini viewed the Iranian Revolution as merely the first step towards a broader Islamic transformation, extending beyond Iran's borders and even beyond specific Shia tenets.
Article
Supreme Leader of Iran
The supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also referred to as the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution and officially as the Supreme Leadership Authority, or also called by government institutions Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is the head of state and the highest political and religious authority of Iran above the president. The armed forces, judiciary, state radio and television, and other key government organizations such as the Guardian Council and Expediency Discernment Council are subject to the supreme leader.
According to the constitution, the supreme leader delineates the general policies of the Islamic Republic (article 110), supervising the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive branches (article 57). The second supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, issued decrees and made the final decisions on the economy, the environment, foreign policy, education, national planning, and other aspects of governance in Iran. Khamenei also made the final decisions on the amount of transparency in elections, and during his rule dismissed and reinstated presidential cabinet appointees.
The office was established by the Constitution of Iran in 1979, pursuant to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's concept of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, and is a lifetime appointment. Originally the constitution required the supreme leader to be Marja'-e taqlid, the highest-ranking cleric in the religious laws of Usuli Twelver Shia Islam; however, in 1989 the constitution was amended and simply asked for Islamic "scholarship" to allow the supreme leader to be a lower-ranking cleric.
The style "Supreme Leader" (Persian: رهبر معظم, romanized: rahbar-e mo'azzam) is commonly used as a sign of respect although the Constitution designates them simply as "Leader" (رهبر, rahbar).
According to the constitution (Article 111), the Assembly of Experts is tasked with electing (following Ayatollah Khomeini), supervising, and dismissing the supreme leader. In practice, the Assembly has never been known to challenge or otherwise publicly oversee any of the supreme leader's decisions (all of its meetings and notes are strictly confidential). Members of the Assembly are elected by people in elections, and are approved by bodies (the Guardian Council) whose members are appointed by the supreme leader or appointed by an individual (Chief Justice of Iran) appointed by the supreme leader.
The United Nations list of Heads of State, Heads of Government, and Ministers for Foreign Affairs of all Member States lists the Iranian president as the official de jure head of state and government, rather than the supreme leader himself.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has in its history had three supreme leaders: Khomeini, who held the position from 1979 until his death in 1989; Ali Khamenei, who held the position from Khomeini's death until his assassination in 2026; and Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei, who has held the position since 2026.
Requirements
Supreme Leader of Iran
Since the 1989 amendments to the Constitution of Iran, any jurist of Islamic law can be elected Supreme Leader.
Incorporation in the constitution
1979
In March 1979, shortly after Ruhollah Khomeini's return from exile and the overthrow of Iran's monarchy, a national referendum was held throughout Iran with the question "Islamic Republic, yes or no?". Although some groups objected to the wording and choice and boycotted the referendum, 98% of those voting, voted "yes". Following this landslide victory, the constitution of Iran of 1906 was declared invalid. A new constitution for an Islamic state was created and ratified by referendum during the first week of December in 1979.
According to Francis Fukuyama, the 1979 constitution is a "hybrid" of "theocratic and democratic elements" with much of it based on the ideas Khomeini presented in his published book Islamic Government (Hukumat-e Islami). In the work, Khomeini argued that government must be run in accordance with traditional Islamic sharia, and for this to happen a leading Islamic jurist (faqih) must provide political "guardianship" (wilayat or velayat) over the people. The leading jurist were known as Marja'.
The Constitution stresses the importance of the clergy in government, with Article 4 stating that
all civil, criminal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and all other statutes and regulations (must) be keeping with Islamic measures;…the Islamic legal scholars of the watch council (Shura yi Nigahban) will keep watch over this.
and the importance of the supreme leader. Article 5 states
during the absence of the removed Twelfth Imam (may God hasten his reappearance) government and leadership of the community in the Islamic Republic of Iran belong to the rightful God fearing legal scholar (Faqih) who is recognized and acknowledged as the Islamic leader by the majority of the population.
Article 107 in the constitution mentions Khomeini by name and praises him as the most learned and talented leader for emulation (marja-i taqlid). The responsibilities of the supreme leader are vaguely stated in the constitution, thus any 'violation' by the supreme leader would be dismissed almost immediately. As the rest of the clergy governed affairs on a daily basis, the supreme leader is capable of mandating a new decision as per the concept of Vilayat-e Faqih.
1989
Shortly before Khomeini's death, a change was made in the constitution of Iran allowing a lower ranking Shia cleric to become the supreme leader. Khomeini had a falling out with his would-be successor Hussein-Ali Montazeri, who disapproved of human rights abuses by the Islamic Republic such as the mass execution of political prisoners in late summer and early autumn 1988. Montazeri was demoted as a marja and Khomeini chose a new successor, a relatively low-ranking member of the clergy, Ali Khamenei. However Article 109 stipulated that the leader be "a source of imitation" (Marja-e taqlid).
Khomeini wrote a letter to the president of the Assembly for Revising the Constitution, which was in session at the time, making the necessary arrangements to designate Khamene'i as his successor, and Article 109 was revised accordingly. In this letter, he supposedly "emphasised that he had always been of the opinion that the marja'iyat was not a requirement for the office of leader".
Functions, powers and duties
Supreme Leader of Iran
Ali Khamenei voting in the 2017 Presidential election
Ali Khamenei with Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven, 2017
Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei meeting with chairman of the Hamas Shura Council Ismail Haniyeh and leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Ziyad al-Nakhalah, July 2024
Duties and Powers given to the supreme leader by the Constitution, decrees and other laws are:
• Delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in consultation with the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council. • Supervision over the proper execution of the general policies of the systems. • Resolving conflicts between the three branches of the government • Issuing decrees for national referendums. • Supreme command over the Armed Forces. • Declaration of war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces. • Ability to veto laws passed by the parliament. • Appointment, dismissal, and acceptance of resignation of: • the members of Expediency Discernment Council. • the members of Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. • two personal representatives to the Supreme National Security Council. • Can delegate representatives to all branches of government. Ali Khamenei had around 2000 representatives. • the six fuqaha' of the Guardian Council. • the supreme judicial authority of the country. • ministers of defense, intelligence, foreign affairs, and science. • the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic of Iran. • the chief of the joint staff. • the chief commander of the armed forces of the country • the highest commanders of the armed forces. • Can dismiss and reinstate ministers. • Resolving differences between the three wings of the armed forces and regulation of their relations. • Resolving the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods, through the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council. • Signing the decree formalizing the elections in Iran for the President of the Republic by the people. • Dismissal of the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interests of the country, after the Supreme Court holds him guilty of the violation of his constitutional duties, or after an impeachment vote of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) testifying to his incompetence on the basis of Article 89 of the Constitution. • Pardoning or reducing the sentences of convicts, within the framework of Islamic criteria, on a recommendation (to that effect) from the head of the judiciary. The supreme leader may delegate part of his duties and powers to another person. • Confirms decisions of the Supreme National Security Council. • Control over Special Clerical Court.
Mandate and status
Supreme Leader of Iran
The supreme leader of Iran is elected by the Assembly of Experts (Persian: مجلس خبرگان رهبری, romanized: majles-e xobregân-e rahbari), which is also the only government body in charge of choosing and dismissing supreme leaders of Iran.
The supreme leader is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the supervisor of the three branches of the state, the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the Executive.
He oversees, appoints, or inaugurates, and can dismiss the following offices:
<table><thead><tr><th>Organization</th><th>Branches</th><th>Activity</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)</td><td></td><td>Two personal representative. Body for national security and foreign policy discussions, including nuclear policy.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chief Justice of Iran</td><td></td><td>Head of the Judiciary Branch (usually a member of the Assembly of Experts) for a term of 8 years</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting</td><td></td><td>Irans national news broadcaster</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution</td><td></td><td>Body that works "to ensure that the education and culture of Iran remains Islamic."</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Expediency Discernment Council</td><td></td><td>Set up to resolve conflicts between the Guardian Council and the Parliament. Also advises the supreme leader</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs</td><td></td><td>Nominated by the President and approved by the Leader.</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
• Inaugurates the President and may also together with a two-thirds majority of the Parliament impeach him. • The 6 Faqih members of the 12 members of the Guardian Council, the other 6 are chosen by the Parliament out of jurist candidates nominated by the Chief Justice of Iran who is in turn appointed by the supreme leader. • Can delegate representatives to all branches of government, which as of 2018 were around 2000 representatives. • The Imams of Friday Prayer of each provincial capital (with the advice of all the Marja') for life
Iran's regional policy is directly controlled by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' task limited to protocol and ceremonial occasions. All of Iran's ambassadors to Arab countries, for example, are chosen by the Quds Force, which directly reports to the supreme leader.
According to the constitution, all supreme leaders, following Ayatollah Khomeini, are to be elected by the Assembly of Experts, who are elected by Iranian voters to eight-year terms. All candidates for membership at the Assembly of Experts (along with candidates for president and for the Majlis (parliament)) must have their candidacy approved by the Guardian Council. In 2016, 166 candidates were approved by the Guardians, out of 801 who applied to run for the office.
Members of the Guardian Council are half appointed unilaterally by the supreme leader. Half are subject to confirmation by the Majlis, after being appointed by the head of the Iranian judiciary (Chief Justice of Iran), who is himself appointed by the supreme leader of Iran. The Assembly has never questioned the supreme leader. There have been cases where the Guardian Council repealed its ban on particular people, after being directed to do so by Khamenei.
The supreme leader is legally considered "inviolable", with Iranians being routinely punished for questioning or insulting him.
Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e faqih)
Supreme Leader of Iran
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with Hajj authorities, 2018
Ali Khamenei, second supreme leader of Iran, and his claim of "speaking with God"
The constitution of Iran combines concepts of both democracy and theocracy, theocracy in the form of Khomeini's concept of vilayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), as expressed in the Islamic Republic. According to Ayatollah Khomeini, the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist was not restricted to orphans or mental incompetents, but applied to everyone in absence of the twelfth Imam.
Jurists were the only rightful political/governmental leaders because "God had commanded Islamic government" and "no one knew religion better than the ulama" (Islamic clergy). They alone would preserve "Islamic order" and keep everyone from deviating from "the just path of Islam".
Prior to the revolution, observant Shia Muslims selected their own leading faqih to emulate (known as a Marja'-i taqlid) according to their own decision making. The "congregation rather than the hierarchy decided how prominent the ayatollah was" thus allowing the public to possibly limit the influence of the Faqih.
After the revolution Shia Muslims, or at least Iranian Shia, were commanded to show allegiance to the current vali-e faghih, Guardian Jurist or supreme leader. In this new system, the jurist oversaw all governmental affairs. The complete control exercised by the Faqih was not to be limited to the Iranian Revolution because the revolution and its Leader had international aspirations. As the constitution of the Islamic Republic states, it
intends to establish an ideal and model society on the basis of Islamic norms. ... the Constitution provides the necessary basis for ensuring the continuation of the Revolution at home and abroad. In particular, in the development of international relations, the Constitution will strive with other Islamic and popular movements to prepare the way for the formation of a single world community (in accordance with the Koranic verse 'This your community is a single community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me' [21:92]), and to assure the continuation of the struggle for the liberation of all deprived and oppressed peoples in the world.
According to author Seyyed Vali Nasr, Khomeini appealed to the masses, during the pre-1979 period, by referring to them as the oppressed and with charisma and political ability was tremendously successful. He became a very popular role model for Shiites, and hoped for the Iranian Revolution to be the first step to a much larger Islamic revolution, transcending Shia Islam, in the same way that Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky had wanted their revolution to be a world revolution, not just a Russian one.
List of supreme leaders
Supreme Leader of Iran
<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Portrait</th><th>Name (Birth–Death)</th><th>Term of office</th><th>Election</th><th>President(s)</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Took office</td><td>Left office</td><td>Time in office</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td></td><td>Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini سید روحالله خمینی (1900–1989)</td><td>3 December 1979</td><td>3 June 1989 (Died in office)</td><td>9 years and 6 months</td><td>—N/a</td><td>List:</td><td>Leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td></td><td>Seyyed Ali Khamenei سید علی خامنهای (1939–2026)</td><td>4 June 1989</td><td>28 February 2026 (Assassinated)</td><td>36 years, 8 months and 24 days</td><td>1989</td><td>List:</td><td>Previously served as President of Iran from 1981 until Khomeini's death.</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td></td><td>Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei سید مجتبی خامنهای (born 1969)</td><td>8 March 2026</td><td>Incumbent</td><td>22 days</td><td>2026</td><td>Masoud Pezeshkian</td><td>Son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, elected amid the 2026 war.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Deputy Supreme Leader
Supreme Leader of Iran
The role of the Iranian Deputy Supreme Leader was eventually incorporated into the Authority of the Supreme Leader.
• Grand Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri (15 July 1985 – 30 April 1989)
During the presidency of Hassan Rouhani and amid longstanding rumors of Khamenei's declining health, it was recommended to Khamenei to reestablish the office of Deputy Supreme Leader to better facilitate the transition to new leadership.
2026 Interim Leadership Council
Supreme Leader of Iran
After the Assassination of Ali Khamenei, following Article 111 of the Islamic Republic constitution, a Provisional Leadership Council took over Khamenei's role, pending election of a new supreme leader. The Interim Leadership Council, as established on 1 March 2026, consisted of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i and Alireza Arafi of the Guardian Council.