Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at a November gathering of Basij militia forces with Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, is regarded in Iran as the highest-ranking cleric in Shiite Islam, but his power is constrained and challenged. APThe Hierarchy Of Power In Iran -- AP
A look at the power structure in Iran.
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SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI: Wields control over every major decision either directly or through a network of hand-picked loyalists and institutions, including the powerful Revolutionary Guard, the judiciary and intelligence services.
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GUARDIAN COUNCIL: Group of 12 experts in Islamic law who approve all candidates for high elected office and can veto parliamentary bills considered in violation of Iran's Islamic constitution.
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PRESIDENT: The president's powers are limited by the ruling clerics. The president helps direct economic policies, domestic social programs, education plans and some public works. The president also has some voice in the level of freedoms such as media and political openness, but can be overruled by the ruling clerics using the judiciary or Revolutionary Guard. The president represents Iran in many high-profile international forums and talks, but the ruling clerics set all important foreign and defense policies.
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PARLIAMENT: Its 290 members are elected every four years and have wide powers to set economic and social policies, but officials loyal to the supreme leader can block legislation. The next elections are 2012.
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EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL: Mediates between the parliament and Guardian Council, but often favors the supreme leader's views. All members are hand-picked by Khamenei a
PRESIDENT: The president's powers are limited by the ruling clerics. The president helps direct economic policies, domestic social programs, education plans and some public works. The president also has some voice in the level of freedoms such as media and political openness, but can be overruled by the ruling clerics using the judiciary or Revolutionary Guard. The president represents Iran in many high-profile international forums and talks, but the ruling clerics set all important foreign and defense policies.
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PARLIAMENT: Its 290 members are elected every four years and have wide powers to set economic and social policies, but officials loyal to the supreme leader can block legislation. The next elections are 2012.
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EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL: Mediates between the parliament and Guardian Council, but often favors the supreme leader's views. All members are hand-picked by Khamenei and it is in effect an advisory body to the supreme leader.
ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS: An elected body of 86 clerics that has official role of overseeing the supreme leader's performance, but main job is to select a successor after his death.
My Comment: The Iranians may be having their election today, but if this chart reveals anything, it is that the real men who run the country are definitely not answerable to anyone but themselves. The real power resides in the clerics.
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PARLIAMENT: Its 290 members are elected every four years and have wide powers to set economic and social policies, but officials loyal to the supreme leader can block legislation. The next elections are 2012.
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EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL: Mediates between the parliament and Guardian Council, but often favors the supreme leader's views. All members are hand-picked by Khamenei and it is in effect an advisory body to the supreme leader.
ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS: An elected body of 86 clerics that has official role of overseeing the supreme leader's performance, but main job is to select a successor after his death.
My Comment: The Iranians may be having their election today, but if this chart reveals anything, it is that the real men who run the country are definitely not answerable to anyone but themselves. The real power resides in the clerics.