Iran Vocab

Assembly of experts

Group that nominates and can remove the Supreme Leader

Ayatollah

“sign of God”, a high ranking cleric

Dual society

society divided into a poorer and richer sector

Failed state

country whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control

Farsi

Persian language

Guardian Council

committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the Majles

Hezbollahis

“Partisans of God” In Iran, describes religious vigilantes

Islamism

use of Islam as a political ideology

Jurist’s guardianship

Khomeini’s concept that Iranian clergy should rule on the grounds that they are divinely appointed guardians of law and the people.

Majles

Iranian parliament

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

group dedicated to achieving price stability of oil and furthering the interests of the member states

Pariah state

nation considered to be an outcast in the international community

People of the Book

Muslim term for recognized religious minorities (Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians)

Qur’an

Sacred text of revelations made to Muhammad by Allah

Rentier state

county that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources and doesn’t need to rely on taxes

Standee

cardboard display that can stand on its own usually or with the support of many well dressed soldiers

Supreme Leader

cleric selected to be head of Islamic Republic of Iran

Theocracy

state dominated by clergy who rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God’s will and law