Iran Vocab

Supreme Leader

The highest-ranking political and religious authority in Iran, responsible for overseeing the government and guiding its policies according to Islamic principles.

Guardian Council

A body that ensures legislation passed by the Majles is compatible with Islam and the constitution, consisting of appointed clerics and jurists.

Expediency Council

A council that resolves conflicts between the Guardian Council and the Majles, serving as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader.

Majles

The Islamic Consultative Assembly, which is the national legislative body of Iran, responsible for making laws and representing the public.

Assembly of Religious Experts

An elected body that is charged with selecting the Supreme Leader and overseeing his activities.

Bonyads

Parastatal foundations in Iran that control significant sectors of the economy, often exempt from taxation and operating with considerable autonomy.

Basij

A paramilitary organization in Iran that is part of the Revolutionary Guard, focused on mobilizing the public and promoting Islamic values.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests or religious leaders hold political power, and laws are based on religious principles.

Shi'a

A branch of Islam that constitutes the majority in Iran, characterized by its distinct beliefs and practices, including the importance of the imamate.

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam, which differs from Shi'a in beliefs about leadership and the rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad.

Sharia Law

Islamic legal framework derived from the Quran and Hadith, covering all aspects of a Muslim's life, including moral and legal issues.

Revolutionary Guard

An elite military force in Iran that protects the Islamic Republic's political system and values, playing a significant role in both foreign and domestic policies.

Iran Nuclear Deal

An agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) reached in 2015 aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Clerics

Islamic scholars and leaders who are responsible for interpreting religious texts and leading religious ceremonies in the Shi'a tradition.

Reform vs. Conservatives

A political divide in Iran, where reformists advocate for change and modernization, while conservatives seek to uphold traditional values and resist significant changes.

Rentier State

A term used to describe a state that derives a substantial portion of its revenue from rent, typically from natural resources such as oil, without fostering broad economic development.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

An intergovernmental organization of oil-producing countries that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies among member countries to ensure stable prices and oil supply.

1979 Revolution

The Iranian Revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Green Movement

A political movement that emerged after the 2009 presidential elections in Iran, advocating for electoral reform and government accountability.

'Equality with a difference.'

A phrase used to describe the Iranian regime's approach to gender equality, promoting the notion that women have equal rights but with distinct roles defined by Islamic principles.

Jurist's Guardianship (Wilayat al-Faqih)

A doctrine in Shi'a Islam that asserts the political authority of the Islamic jurist as a representative of the infallible imam during the absence of the imam, forming the basis for the governance structure in Iran.