Key Political and Religious Concepts in Iran

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Former President of Iran (2005-2013), known for his controversial policies and confrontational stance towards the West.

Assembly of Religious Experts

An elected assembly in Iran responsible for selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader.

axis of evil

A term coined by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2002 referring to countries like Iran, Iraq, and North Korea that were accused of sponsoring terrorism and pursuing weapons of mass destruction.

Basij

A paramilitary force in Iran formed in 1979, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that focuses on internal security and mobilization of volunteers.

Baha'i

A religious minority in Iran, regarded by the state as heretical by Shiite Islam, facing widespread persecution.

Constitution of 1979

The legal foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, established after the 1979 Revolution, blending Islamic law with elements of democratic governance.

Constitutional Revolution of 1905-09

A movement that led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Iran, which limited the powers of the Shah and laid the groundwork for democratic institutions.

Cultural Revolution

A series of policies initiated in Iran after the 1979 Revolution to purify the nation from secular influences and promote Islamic values through education and culture.

economics is for donkeys

A phrase attributed to former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, indicating that economic matters are secondary to the state's ideological and political objectives.

equality-with-difference

A principle often cited to justify gender segregation in Iran, suggesting that men and women are equal in worth but have different roles.

The Executives of Construction Party

A political party in Iran, primarily composed of former government officials, advocating for economic modernization and development policies.

faqih

An Islamic jurist or scholar, particularly one who is an authority in Islamic law (sharia) and governance.

fundamentalism

A strict adherence to orthodox religious beliefs and principles, often leading to a desire to return to foundational texts or practices.

Guardian Council

A council in Iran that ensures legislation conforms to Islamic law, composed of twelve members, six appointed by the Supreme Leader and six by the Judiciary.

head of state

The highest-ranking official in a government, responsible for overseeing the executive branch and representing the country in diplomatic matters. The Supreme Leader.

Hidden Imam

The twelfth Shiite Imam, believed by Shia Muslims to be in occultation and will reappear to bring justice and peace.

imams

Religious leaders in Islam, particularly in Shia Islam, who are seen as spiritual and political successors to Muhammad.

import substitution industrialization

An economic policy aimed at reducing dependency on imported goods by developing domestic industries.

Iranian Militant Clerics Society

A conservative political organization formed by clerics in Iran, advocating for strict adherence to Islamic law and government.

Islamic Iran Participation Front

A reformist political party in Iran aimed at promoting democracy and civil rights within the Islamic Republic framework.

Islamic Society of Engineers

A political organization representing professional engineers in Iran, often aligned with conservative politics.

jurist's guardianship (velayat-e-faqih)

A principle in Iranian governance asserting that a qualified Islamic jurist should lead the state, guiding the community in accordance with Islamic law.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The current Supreme Leader of Iran, serving since 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Muhammad Khatami

Former President of Iran (1997-2005), known for his reformist policies and efforts to promote dialogue with the West.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Leader of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the first Supreme Leader of Iran, who established the Islamic Republic.

Khordad Front

A coalition of reformist parties in Iran aimed at promoting democratic reforms and opposing conservative elements in government.

Majles

The Iranian parliament, responsible for passing legislation, approving the budget, and overseeing the executive branch.

Majles Election of 2004, 2008

Elections held for the Iranian parliament, emphasizing the rivalry between reformist and conservative factions.

Muhammad Mosaddeq

Prime Minister of Iran from 1951-1953, known for nationalizing the Iranian oil industry and opposing foreign influence, notably from the British.

Mir-Hossein Mousavi

Former Prime Minister of Iran and a leading figure in the 2009 presidential election protests seeking greater democratic freedoms.

Muhammad Reza Shah

The last Shah of Iran, whose reign ended with the 1979 Revolution, notable for his modernization efforts known as the White Revolution.

National Front

A political organization founded in the 1940s advocating for Iranian nationalism and democracy, prominently led by Muhammad Mosaddeq.

qanun

The Persian word for law, often referring to secular laws in the context of Iran.

Qajar Empire

Iranian dynasty that ruled from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, preceding the Pahlavi dynasty.

Qom

A city in Iran known as a center of Shia scholarship and the location of important religious seminaries.

Pahlavi Foundation

A charitable foundation established by the Pahlavi dynasty to support various social and cultural initiatives.

Pahlavis

The royal family that ruled Iran from 1925 until the 1979 Revolution, known for its efforts to modernize the country and secularize the state.

People of the Book

A term in Islam referring to non-Muslim monotheistic communities, specifically Jews and Christians, recognized in Islamic texts.

Persian Empire

Refers traditionally to the various empires that ruled over Persia (Iran), including the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and others throughout history.

presidential election of 2005, 2009

Elections in Iran that resulted in the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with the 2009 election being followed by widespread protests.

Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani

A prominent Iranian politician and cleric, known for his role in the post-revolutionary government and as a former president (1989-1997).

reformers v. conservatives

A political distinction in Iran, where reformers seek to expand civil liberties and democratic governance, while conservatives uphold traditional Islamic values and authority.

rentier state

A state that derives a significant portion of its revenue from external rents, like oil exports, rather than from its own efforts or production.

Resurgence Party

A political party that existed during the Pahlavi era, promoting the monarchy and opposing leftist movements.

Revolution of 1979

The Islamic Revolution that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

revolution of rising expectations

A theory suggesting that revolutions occur when a populace's expectations rise above what a regime can deliver.

Revolutionary Guards

A branch of Iran's military established after the 1979 Revolution, tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic and suppressing dissent.

Reza Shah

Founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, ruling Iran from 1925 to 1941, known for his secular nationalization and modernization efforts.

Safavid Empire

A Persian dynasty that ruled from the early 16th to the mid-18th century, known for establishing Shia Islam as the state religion.

secularization

The process through which religion loses social and cultural significance, leading to a separation between religious institutions and state governance.

sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing various aspects of both personal and communal life in Muslim societies.

Shiism

A branch of Islam characterized by the belief in the rightful leadership of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, and his descendants.

statists v. free-marketers

A political debate in Iran regarding the extent of government intervention in the economy versus advocating for free-market policies and less state control.

Sunni Muslims

The largest denomination of Islam, that believes in the rightful leadership of the community through elected or consensus-based principles, contrasting with Shiite beliefs.

Supreme Leader

The highest authority in Iran's political system, possessing significant powers over the government, armed forces, and media.

theocracy

A system of government where priests or religious leaders hold political power, and the state's legal system is based on religious law.

Tudeh Party

A historical communist party in Iran, active particularly during the mid-20th century, advocating for leftist policies and workers' rights.

white coup

A term used to describe a political maneuver or takeover without violence, as opposed to a revolution.

White Revolution

A series of reforms launched by Muhammad Reza Shah in the 1960s aimed at modernizing Iran and promoting social programs, often met with resistance from traditionalists.

Workers' House

A workers' organization in Iran aimed at promoting labor rights and protections.

Zoroastrianism

One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, originating from ancient Persia, emphasizing the duality of good and evil and the importance of individual choice.

Head of Government

The leading official in charge of the executive branch of government, responsible for implementing laws and overseeing the administration. The President.