BOMBAAA IRAN SHEET
Preamble and the First 5 Articles:
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran advances the cultural, social, political, and economic institutions of Iranian society based on Islamic principles and norms,
After experiencing the anti-despotic constitutional movement and the anti-colonialist movement centered on the nationalization of the oil industry, the Muslim people of Iran learned from this costly experience that the obvious and fundamental reason for the failure of those movements was their lack of an ideological basis.
Under the leadership of Imam Khumayni, came to perceive the necessity of pursuing a genuinely Islamic and ideological line in its struggles.
The devastating protest of Imam Khumayni against the American conspiracy known as the "White Revolution," which was a step intended to stabilize the foundations of despotic rule and to reinforce the political, cultural, and economic dependence of Iran on world imperialism, brought into being a united movement of the people and, immediately afterward, a momentous revolution of the Muslim nation in June 1963.
(They hate the White Revolution, calling it Western)
The Islamic Revolution of Iran was nurtured by the blood of hundreds of young men and women
Giving greater intensity to the struggle of militant and committed Muslims both within the country and abroad.
The publication of an outrageous article meant to malign the revered 'ulama' and in particular Imam Khumayni on 7 Jan 1978 by the ruling regime accelerated the revolutionary movement and caused an outburst of popular outrage across the country.
the cries of "Independence! Freedom! Islamic government!" This great movement,
On 12 and 13 Feb 1979, the world witnessed the collapse of the monarchical regime. Domestic tyranny and foreign domination, both of which were based upon it, were shattered. This great success proved to be the vanguard of Islamic government -- a long-cherished desire of the Muslim people
Article 1
The form of government of Iran is that of an Islamic Republic, endorsed by the people of Iran on the basis of their longstanding belief in the sovereignty of truth and Qur'anic justice, in the referendum of Farwardin 9 and 10 in the year 1358 of the solar Islamic calendar, corresponding to Jamadi al-'Awwal 1 and 2 in the year 1399 of the lunar Islamic calendar (March 29 and 30, 1979], through the affirmative vote of a majority of 98.2% of eligible voters, held after the victorious Islamic Revolution led by the eminent marji' al-taqlid, Ayatullah al-Uzma Imam Khumayni.
Article 2
The Islamic Republic is a system based on belief in:
1. the One God
Article 4
All civil, penal financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and other laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria
Article 5
During the Occultation of the Wali al-Asr (may God hasten his reappearance), the wilayah and leadership of the Ummah devolve upon the just ('adil] and pious [muttaqi] faqih, who is fully aware of the circumstances of his age; courageous, resourceful, and possessed of administrative ability, will assume the responsibilities of this office in accordance with Article 107.
(The twelve imams)
In 1953, the Shah, with the support of the CIA, overthrew the democratically elected prime minister, Mossadegh From thereon, Iran was an authoritarian state with the Shah and his family as the sole political power.
The secret police organization SAVAK was feared by the public.
Land reform – government bought land from large absentee owners and sold it to farmers at affordable prices Encourage agricultural entrepreneurship with irrigation canals, dams, & tractors
* Women’s rights (secularization)
* Suffrage
* Restricting Polygam
* Women allowed to work outside the home
* Banned the hijab
Iran transformed into a rentier state. Although the Shah promoted import substitution policies, by 1979 oil & associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and the majority of Iran’s GNP Oil revenue became so great the government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income. The state-subsidized (desteklemek) food, fuel, and education with this income.
After the influential cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile, the Islamists grew in power. The Islamists started suppressing the other opposition groups and turned the Iranian Revolution into an Islamic Revolution.
Clerics consolidate power in Iran. They set up a rule based on Velayat-e faqih (jurist’s
guardianship) → Velayat-e faqih—or guardianship of the Islamic jurist—is a system of governance that has underpinned the way Iran operates since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. At its most basic, the theory of velayat-e faqih, which is rooted in Shia Islam, justifies the rule of the clergy over the state. (legitimizes the supreme leader)
WHY THIS NEW REGIME WAS LEGITIMIZED?
Popular support for regime high
World oil prices rise again, allowing for social programs, improvements in medicine & housing
Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, people rallied around the government
Charisma of Khomeini inspired (charismatic leader)
ARMED FORCES
The armed forces comprise the Revolutionary Guard and the regular forces. The two bodies are under a joint general command. All leading army and Revolutionary Guard commanders are appointed by the Supreme Leader and are answerable only to him. The Revolutionary Guard was formed after the revolution to protect the new leaders and institutions and to fight those opposing the revolution. The Revolutionary Guard has a powerful presence in other institutions and controls volunteer militias with branches in every town. (Basij)
1. The president and parliament appoint the cabinet (22 ministers).
2. The parliament and the president are generally the same as a parliamentary democracy.
3. Electorate (people) elect the president (which should be first approved by the guardian council) and the parliament:
4. The head of the state is the current supreme leader Ali Khamenei
5. The head of the government is the president
6. The president: The president is elected for four years and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. The constitution describes him as the second-highest ranking official in the country. He is head of the executive branch of power and is responsible for ensuring the constitution is implemented.
7. The legislative branch: The 290 members of the Majlis, or parliament, are elected by popular vote every four years. The parliament has the power to introduce and pass laws, as well as to summon and impeach ministers or the president. However, all Majlis bills have to be approved by the conservative Guardian Council.
8. Cabinet: Members of the cabinet, or Council of Ministers, are chosen by the president. They must be approved by parliament, which in 2005 rejected four of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's initial nominees for his hardline cabinet. Parliament can also impeach ministers.
9. Supreme Leader: The role of the Supreme Leader in the constitution is based on the ideas of Ayatollah Khomeini, who positioned the leader at the top of Iran's political power structure. The Supreme Leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appoints the head of the judiciary (Chief Justice of Iran (who chooses the minister of justice)), six of the members of the powerful Guardian Council, the commanders of all the armed forces, Friday prayer leaders, and the head of radio and TV. He also confirms the president's election. The Leader is chosen by the clerics who make up the Assembly of Experts.
10. Guardian Council: This is the most influential body in Iran and is currently controlled by conservatives. It consists of six theologians appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament. Members are elected for six years on a phased basis, so that half the membership changes every three years. The council has to approve all bills passed by parliament and has the power to veto them if it considers them inconsistent with the constitution and Islamic law. The council can also bar candidates from standing in elections to parliament, the presidency and the Assembly of Experts.
11. Assembly of Experts: The responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts are to appoint the Supreme Leader, monitor his performance and remove him if he is deemed incapable of fulfilling his duties. The assembly usually holds two sessions a year. They are elected by the people.
12. Expediency Council: The Council is an advisory body for the Supreme Leader with ultimate adjudicating power in disputes over legislation between the parliament (Majlis) and the Guardian Council. The Supreme Leader appoints its members, who are prominent religious, social and political figures.
Parliament:
1. Multi-Member Districts – Most districts elect multiple representatives (e.g., Tehran elects 30 MPs).
2. Majoritarian Voting System – Candidates must receive at least one-third (33.3%) of the votes to win outright in the first round.
3. Runoff Elections – If not enough candidates pass the 33.3% threshold, the remaining seats are decided in a second-round election between the top candidates.
4. No Proportional Representation (PR) – Parties do not get seats based on their overall vote share; seats go to individual candidates who receive the most votes in their districts.
5. Reserved Seats – A few seats are set aside for religious minorities (e.g., Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians).
Conclusion:
Iran’s parliament (the Majles) does not use a single-member district (SMD) system like the U.S. or UK, nor does it use proportional representation (PR) like many European countries. Instead, it relies on multi-member districts with a majoritarian runoff system.
People also choose an Assembly of Experts (they are all clerics) and the assembly of Expert choose the new supreme leader. But last time the last supreme leader, Khomeini, chose Khamenei as successor so they amended the constitution only to prove him legal.
Constitutional Amendments of 1989
* Gave Assembly of Religious Experts authority (vote of confidence for the supreme leader)
* Created the Supreme National Security Council
* Constitution amendments approved by Iranian voters in
* a national referendum with 97% yes vote on July 28, 1989
Political Culture
* Authoritarianism
* Union of political & religious authority
* Shi’ism & Sharia
* Anti-Western sentiment
* Nationalism/Influence of Ancient Persia
National elections are held for the following:
* Assembly of Religious Experts
* Majlis (Parliament)
* President
* Presidential elections
* Presidential elections are done over two rounds
* First round narrows field down to 2 candidates
Iranian Presidential Election - 2009
Ahmadinejad was announced as the winner the next morning with 62% of vote to Mousavi’s 34% Protest immediately erupted (the Green Revolution) in favor of Mousavi and claiming election fraud. Mousavi files formal appeal of results with Guardian Council Supreme Leader Khamenei announces investigation of electoral results Guardian Council announces it will recount votes, however, Mousavi states that 14 million ballots were missing, allowing for a chance to manipulate the results Iran’s electoral board completes partial recount, and concludes that Ahmadinejad won the election – this leads to more protests (because, of course, this is Iran)
There are several pro-government interest groups. Interest groups must register with the government and can be disbanded. Civil society is weak, but protests are common.
In reality, the Ministry of Justice oversees the courts. The Minister of Justice is appointed from among the candidates that the Chief Justice of Iran (who is appointed by the Supreme Leader) deems fit.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): Established by Khomeini to protect the revolution. The Islamic Regime’s armed forces.
PRESIDENT’S POWER
* Proposing the Budget
* Supervising economic matters
* Proposing legislation to the Majlis
* Executing policies
* Signing of treaties, laws, and agreements
* Chairing the National Security Council
* Selecting deputies and cabinet ministers
* Appointing provincial governors, town mayors, and ambassadors
MAJLIS’ POWER
* Enacting or Changing Laws (with approval of Guardian Council)
* Interpretation of legislation (as long as it does not contradict judicial authorities)
* Appointment of 6 of 12 Guardian Council members from a list made by the chief judge
* Investigation of the cabinet ministers and public complaints against the executive and judiciary
* Removal of cabinet ministers
* Approval of budget, cabinet appointments, treaties
* Impeach the president
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA; Persian: romanized: barnāmeye jāme'e eqdāme moshtarak BARJAM) also known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement to limit the Iranian nuclear program in return for sanctions relief and other provisions. (2016)
Iraq's primary rationale for the attack against Iran cited the need to prevent Ruhollah Khomeini—who had spearheaded the Iranian revolution in 1979—from exporting the new Iranian ideology to Iraq.
BONYADS:
Usually called “foundations” (bonyads), an Islamic charitable trust The bonyads employ millions of Iranians and provide social welfare services to perhaps several million more. Therefore bonyads "have a large constituency (seçmen) and are able to build support for the government among the working and lower classes. (Katzman, Kenneth. Iran’s Bonyads)"
* Tax-exempt (vergiden muaf)
* Have a great deal of wealth
* Much of the property they supervise was confiscated from pre-1979 elite
Bonyads are charitable trusts in Iran that play a major role in Iran's economy. They control an estimated 20% of Iran's GDP,[1] and are second only to the oil industry in manufacturing, trading, and real estate development in Iran. Technically religious charitable organizations have evolved into "giant private monopolies with no governmental oversight",[6] and are now described as channeling revenues to groups supporting the Islamic Republic,[7] while providing limited and inadequate charity to the poor.[2] Exempt from taxes and benefiting from "huge subsidies from the government," they have been called "bloated,"[2] and "a major weakness of Iran's economy,"[5] that siphons off production to the lucrative black market.[2]
Mahsa Amini protests → the Guidance Patrol killed a girl for wearing hijab improperly
ALL PROTESTS IN IRAN
Reza Pahlavi’s “White Revolution” (the start of the Shah regime)
Iranian Revolution - 1979 (a.k.a the Islamic revolution which Khomeini lead)
Green Revolution ( Mousavi and the election fraud claim)
Mahsa Amini protests → the Guidance Patrol killed a girl for wearing hijab improperly