APCoGo - Iran Vocabulary

Assembly of Religious Experts

A directly elected body responsible for selecting, supervising, and dismissing the Supreme Leader.

Majlis

Iran’s unicameral legislature, composed of 290 members elected by popular vote for four-year terms.

Supreme Leader

The highest authority in Iran, controlling the military, judiciary, state media, and religious institutions.

Guardian Council

A 12-member body that vets candidates for elections and ensures legislation aligns with Islamic law.

Ayatollah

A high-ranking Shi’a Islamic cleric with significant religious and political influence in Iran.

Vetting

The process by which the Guardian Council approves or disqualifies candidates for elections.

Expediency Council

A body appointed by the Supreme Leader to mediate disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council.

Jurist Guardianship (Velayat-e Faqih)

The principle that senior Islamic clerics should have authority over the government.

Qanun (Civil Law)

Laws passed by the Majlis that govern areas not explicitly covered by Shari’ah law.

Azeri

Iran’s largest ethnic minority, primarily residing in the northwest near the Azerbaijan border.

Baha’i

A religious minority in Iran that faces severe persecution as their faith is not officially recognized.

Persians

The dominant ethnic group in Iran, making up the majority of the population.

Kurds

A significant ethnic minority in western Iran, primarily Sunni Muslims, seeking greater autonomy.

Shi’ites/Sunnis (Iran focus)

Iran is predominantly Shi’a Muslim, with Sunnis making up a small minority.

Zoroastrianism

One of the world’s oldest religions, originating in Persia and recognized in Iran but facing discrimination.

Qajar Dynasty

Ruled Iran from 1789 to 1925, overseen by Reza Shah who founded the Pahlavi dynasty.

Qom (city)

A major religious center in Iran, influential for Shi’a clerics and religious decision-making.

Shari’ah law

Islamic law enforced in various sectors including criminal justice and family law.

Theocracy

A government system where religious leaders control political power, exemplified by Iran.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (SEPAH)

A powerful military force protecting the Islamic Republic, established after the 1979 Revolution.

Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1909

Movement leading to Iran’s first constitution, limiting the Qajar dynasty's power.

Corporatist (Iran context)

Iran’s political system incorporates state-controlled interest groups instead of independent ones.

Green Movement (2009)

A major protest against alleged fraud in the 2009 presidential election.

Hostage Crisis of 1979-1980

Iranian students took 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days in Tehran.

Iranian (Islamic) Revolution of 1979

The overthrow of Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, establishing an Islamic Republic under Khomeini.

Coup d’état (Iran focus)

The 1953 coup that reinstated the Shah, orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence.

Tehran Spring

A period of political openness under President Khatami in the late 1990s.

White Revolution

Reforms launched by Shah Pahlavi in the 1960s, including land redistribution and modernization.

Foundations (Bonyads)

State-controlled charitable organizations managing significant parts of Iran’s economy.

Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance

Responsible for regulating media and cultural activities in accordance with Islamic values.

National Front (1950s)

A secular nationalist movement led by Mohammad Mossadegh advocating for oil nationalization.

Reformist vs. Conservatives (Iran’s political groups)

Reformists seek civil liberties, while conservatives prioritize religious rule.

Rentier State (Iran context)

Reliance on oil revenues over diversified economy, leading to accountability issues.

Shah

The title for Iran’s monarch before the 1979 Revolution.

Basij

A volunteer paramilitary force under the IRGC to suppress dissent and enforce morality.

Resource Curse (Iran context)

Economic issues arising from dependency on oil wealth, leading to mismanagement and corruption.

SAVAK

The secret police under the Shah known for suppressing dissent and using torture.

Reza Shah

The founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, modernized Iran but ruled authoritatively.

Muhammad Reza Shah

Iran’s last monarch, whose policies led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Ayatollah Khomeini

Leader of the 1979 Revolution and Iran’s first Supreme Leader.

Ali Khamenei

The second Supreme Leader of Iran, succeeding Khomeini in 1989.

Hassan Rouhani

President from 2013 to 2021, known for negotiating the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Ebrahim Raisi

Current President of Iran, a conservative cleric with ties to the IRGC.

Massoud Pezeshkian

A reformist politician known for advocating moderate policies and civil liberties.