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Iranian Flag

Chief of State, Ayatollah Khamenei

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Portait of Ahmadinejad and

Ayatollah Khamenei

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THE PRESIDENTIAL ROLE IN IRANIAN GOVERNMENT

Overview of Government

The formal name of Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran and it is has been known as a theocratic republic since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Like the United States the Iranian government is made up of three main branches which each work to maintain a balance of power within the government. The branches include the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branch. However, unlike the United States, the style of the Iranian government follows the ordinances of Velayat-e-faqih.

What is Velayat-e-faqih?

Velayat-e-faqih is a term that translates as Guardianship of the Jurist and it is the current style of government in Iran. It has been deemed to be the most ideal establishment by having combined the precepts of democracy and Islamic rule or Shariah. This concept was first instituted by Ayatollah Khomeini as one of the many outcomes of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The Chief of State's Role in the Iranian Government

This style of government was outlines, the executive branch has two central positions: The Chief of State and the Head of the Government. The Chief of State is position that is held by an extremely important religious authority within Iran. Currently, the Chief of State is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hoseini Khamenei.

Khamenei is essentially responsible for the direction of Irans religious practices as well as the social and political direction of Irans welfare. Due to the great reverence the Chief of State receives, his decisions and rulings are regarded with utmost importance and are considered to be law.

Ayatollah Khameneis authority branches over the military and the media as well. He has the right to dismiss leaders and to appoint new ones within the judiciary and the media. His role also extends to the status of Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Armed Forces as well as the Supreme Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a military faction that was formed in 1979 with the intentions to serve the Iranian government.

Essentially anything he says or does prevails over all Iranians and no one within Iran can overshadow him.

The Presidents Role in the Iranian Government

Ayatollah Khameneis position branches over many fields of power to the point where it may be unclear to understand what level of authority the President maintains.

President Ahmadinejads serves as the political head of Iranian government and his role is considered to be the most authoritative government official after Ayatollah Khamenei.

The position of president is one that is voted on every four years. The Presidents responsibilities include ensuring that the Iranian Constitution is followed and partaking in establishing ambassadors and other diplomatic positions. The President can also appoint eight vice presidents to serve in their cabinet as well as a twenty-one member group called the Council of Ministers. Both groups must be affirmed by the Iranian Parliament and the Supreme Leader. Through these two factions, the President can partake in setting up different proposals for the Parliament to consider. By way of these proposals, the President can invite change into Iranian policy.

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