COGO Iran

Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud

Tehran’s former ultra conservative mayor, president from 2005-2013, known for his controversial policies and rhetoric, particularly the restriction of public freedom, strict implementation of Sharia law, his hatred of Israel and denial of the Holocaust, and his increased research in nuclear fuel. Supported by IRGC.

Amini, Mahsa

an Iranian woman whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests against the government in 2022. She became a symbol of the struggle for women's rights and freedom in Iran.

Assembly of Religious Experts

88 members (no women), directly elected by people for 8 year terms, responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader and has the right to dismiss him.

Ayatollah

a high-ranking title in Shia Islam, often given to influential religious leaders and scholars in Iran, who have significant authority over religious and political matters.

Baha’i

a religious minority in Iran, facing persecution for their beliefs, not recognized as an official religion in Iran.

Basij

a paramilitary volunteer militia in Iran, controlled by the IRGC, known for its role in social control being deputized by the Revolutionary Guard to stop protests.

Bazaaris

traders and merchants in Iran, traditionally influential in the economy and politics.

Bonyads/religious endowments

autonomous tax-exempt charity organizations in Iran that manage charitable foundations (control large amounts of money) and are often linked to the Islamic government b/c they are directed by clerics appointed by the Supreme leader. They play a significant role in the economy and social services.

Constitution of 1979

established the Islamic Republic after the April 1979 Referendum, emphasizing Islamic fundamentalism, juris’t guardianship (valeyat-efaqih), and Sharia law.

Cultural Revolution

launched by Shia leaders after the revolution, aimed to purify the country from the shah’s regime, secular values, and western influences. Purged the universities of liberals and suppressed all opposition.

Expediency Council

32 members appointed by Supreme Leader, designed to settle disputes between Majles and the Guardian Council, undermines the legislative power of the Majles.

Farsi

predominantly spoken, official language.

Fundamentalism/Islamism

follows Sharia law, based on the Quaran, and characterized by corporal punishment.

Ghalibaf, Mohammad Bagher

an Iranian politician and former mayor of Tehran, known for his role in Iranian political affairs and his candidacy in presidential elections.

Guardian Council

12 member all male council, half appointed directly by the Supreme Leader and half indirectly through the Majles, has the power to veto any legislation, and has vetting power to determine who can run in elections.

Head of state

the Supreme Leader, most powerful religious and political leader, chosen by the Assembly of Experts, appointed for life, links the three branches of govt. together.

Head of government

the president, directly elected by the people, candidates approved by the Guardian Council, can be removed by the Supreme Leader

Hezbollahis

members of Hezbollah, a militant group and political party based in Lebanon, founded in the early 1980s, known for its Iranian support and involvement in regional conflicts.

Imams

spiritual leaders in Islam, particularly in Shia Islam, recognized for their authority in interpreting religious texts and leading prayers. In Shia tradition, Imams are considered to be the rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad.

Islamic Iran Participation Front

a political party in Iran founded by reformists, advocating for greater democracy, civil rights, and improved relations with the international community.

JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)

an agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and six major world powers (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions.

Jurist’s guardianship (velayat-e-faqih)

gave senior clergy (ayatollahs) all-encompassing authority over the whole community.

Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali

current ayatollah (1989-present), change in constitution which originally called for 3 people to replace the supreme leader.

Khatami, Muhammad

president from 1997-2005, reformist, opened civil society, less censorship of press, tried to improve international relations.

Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah

first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic in 1979, established a new constitution, islamic fundamentalism, jurist’s guardianship. Ruled during the Hostage Crisis, the Cultural Revolution, and the 1979 Revolution. Charismatic leader, fled in 1979.

Majles

the legislature, 290 members, mostly SMD, direct elections, members approved through the Guardian Council and can enact/change laws with the approval of the Guardian Council, approves budget, cabinet appointments, treaties, and loans.

Mosaddeq, Muhammad

led the National Front and the 1953 coup, advocated for nationalizing the British owned companies that monopolized Iran’s oil business, wanted to take the armed forces out of the shah’s control, and was supported by Tudeh. He was elected PM in 1951, the UK and US planned to overthrow him and he restored Muhammad Shah to power because of the cold war and oil access.

Mousavi, Mir-Hossein

National Front

opposition group to Muhammad Reza Shah, led by Muhammad Mosaddeq, drew most of its support from the middle class, emphasis on iranian nationalism.

OPEC

the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, a group made up of 13 oil-producing countries that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies to ensure stable prices and supply in the oil market.

Pahlavi, Mohammed Reza

Reza Shah’s son who took power in 1941, formed SAVAK, and led an authoritarian regime. Associated with the Westernization/secularization of Iranian culture, the White Revolution, the Rentier State, Industrialization, and centralization.

Pahlavi, Reza Shah

carried out a coup d’etat in 1921, ruled with an iron first, Majles lost its power, renamed Iran from Persia, allied with nazis,

Pezeshkian, Masoud

reformist candidate who won the 2024 elections, 1st deputy speaker of Parliament, and former health minister. Promised to reform the methods of the morality police, end Iran’s isolation from the rest of the world, curb inflation, and end US imposed sanctions. Still supports Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis. Increased tensions with Israel.

Qur’an

religious scripture followed by Muslims.

Raisi, Ebrahim

president from 2021-2024, hardline cleric, former head of judiciary, former deputy chairman of the Assembly of Religious Experts, recognized as a descendant of Muhammad, likely the next Supreme Leader, died in the a helicopter crash in 2024.

Rafsanjani, Akbar Hashemi

president from 1989-1997, moderate, wanted to reform the economy but didn’t make many reforms.

Rentier state

Iran received an increasing amount of income by exporting its oil. Income was so great that by the 1970s the govt. No longer relied on internal taxes for economic support. Iran paid most of its expenses through oil income.

Revolution of 1979

a period of political upheaval in Iran in 1979, organized by clerics and broadly supported, triggered by the increasing consumer prices and the US pressuring the shah to loosen restraints on opposition.

Revolutionary Guards

est. after 1979, commanders appointed by the Supreme Leader, controls the volunteer paramilitary Basij Resistance Force, control around 1/3 of Iran’s economy through subsidies and trusts.

Rouhani, Hassan

president elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, moderate cleric of the reformist faction.

SAVAK

secret police created by Muhammad Reza Shah under an authoritarian regime.

Shah

means “king”, a title given to leaders.

Shari’a Law

rule of law based on the Quaran, and characterized by corporal punishment.

Shi’a Islam

majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, possibly Lebanon, “partisans of Ali”, believe leadership should be based on Muhammad’s bloodline, only ayatollahs (senior clerical scholars) can interpret Sharia law until the 12th Imam returns.

Solemaini, Qasem

Sunni Islam

majority of the population in most Muslim countries, “followers of tradition”, believe the most prominent members of society should elect the new leader, 4 caliphs, based on piety, morality, wisdom, any religious educated person can rule, overwhelming majority of the world

Supreme Leader

the most powerful religious and political leader, chosen by the Assembly of Experts, appointed for life, links the three branches of govt. together.

Theocracy

Theocratic republic with democratic elements, theocratic institutions (Supreme Leader, Guardian Council, Assembly of Religious Experts, Expediency Council), judiciary not independent as it is based on Sharia law.

Tudeh

Iranian Communist Party, supported Mosaddeq.

White Revolution

gave cleric land to peasants, extended women’s rights, reduced clerical influence, increased secularism.