Supreme Leader

(Head of State) 1

- chosen by Assm. of Relig. Experts

- links 3 branches as mediator

-determines interests of Islam

- supervises policy implemation

- sets political guidelines

- can eliminate Pres candidate

- can dismiss the Pres

-can grant amnesty

- C-I-C of armed forces

- can declare war or peace

- convenes Supreme Military Council

- power to appt./dismiss military and Rev. Guard commanders

- nominates/removes Chief Judge, Chief Prosecutor, Revol.Tribunals

- can remove lower court judges

- nominates 6 clerics to the Guardian Council

- fills many crucial non-govt. positions

- jud branch

- nom 6 clerics to Guard Council

- central pillar of state

- sharia law prevails

- gender inewuality

- religious inequality

- harsh punishments rarely used since 90s

- resolves conflicts btwn the majles and the guard council

- member selected by sup leader

- can initiate new laws

- secretive supra-constitutional body accountable onnly to the SL

- 32 of Iran's most powerful men

- 86 man house

- chooses SL

- elected every 4 years thru direct popular elections

- acts like upper chamber to Majles

- must have seminary degree

- 12 men

- clerics or lay jurist sharia experts

- veto power over Parl bills

- reviews all candidates for elected office

- 6 nominated by SL

- 6 nominated by chief judge, approved by Majles

- reviews all Majles bills

- legis branch

- 290 deputies

- elected every 4 years thru direct, popular elections

- "represents nation"

- enacts/amends laws w/ Guardian Council approval

- supervises state affairs

-approves/removes Cab ministers thru no confidence vote

- can withhold approv. for budgets, treaties, foreign loans

- can hold closed debate

- immunity from arret

-appoints GC derics nominate by C judge

President

(head of govt) 1

- exec branch

- chief exec

- 2nd highest official after S.L.

- elected every 4 years thru direct, popular elections

- two-tern limit

- must be Shiite muslim

-responsible for budget and econ matters

- proposes legislations to Majles

- conducts internal and external policies

-signs intl. treaties/laws

- chairs Nat. Secur. Coun.

- selects VPs and Cab ministers

- appts govs mayors and some public directors