Iran

assembly of religious experts

• 73 man assembly of clerics

• elected directly by the people

• gave authority to khomenei and clergy

• drew up 1979 constituition under khomeini

majlis

parliament/legislature - pass laws + budget + oversee exec + control cabinet ministers

• directly elected

• seats guaranteed to the people of the book

• unicameral

supreme leader

• most powerful = ayatollah ali khamenei since 1989

• current = khAmeni

• old = khOmeni who was better

• controls military

• appoints: ½ of guardian council, head of judiciary, military commanders, expediency council.

• can overrule majles laws through guardian council since he selects them.

• can remove the president

  • sup leader appointed BY assembky of experts

guardian council

• makes sure everything is islamic

• 12 members

  • 6 appointed

  • 6 legal experts nominated by the head of judiciary, approaved by majles.

• approves/rejects laws

• vets candidates [majles, presidency, assembly of experts]

• reinforce conservative

vetting

screening, approving, or disqualifying candidates before they can run for office.

expediency council

• resolving disputes between the Majles (Parliament) and the Guardian Council.

• advisory body to the Supreme Leader

• clerics, military leaders, economists, and political figures (both conservatives and pragmatists).

• Members are appointed by the Supreme Leader for five-year terms.

jurist guardianship - valet e faqih

• grants senior Islamic clerics the authority to rule based on their interpretation of Sharia (Islamic law)

• The Supreme Leader, as the most qualified Islamic jurist, has ultimate authority over political and religious matters.

qanun

civil, secular, or non-religious laws in Iran’s legal system.

opposite of sharia law

azeri

Ethnicity: Turkic

Language: Azeri (a Turkic language), but many speak Persian

Religion: Mostly Shi’a Muslim (like most Iranians)

Culture: Strong Turkic influences, but integrated into Iranian society. Many prominent political and religious figures in Iran have been Azeri.

History: Have lived in northwest Iran for centuries, near Azerbaijan, and have historically played key roles in Iran’s military and politics.

Bahá’ís

Ethnicity: Various (not a distinct ethnic group)

Language: Persian

Religion: Bahá’í Faith (founded in Iran in the 19th century, promotes unity of all religions and world peace)

Culture: Follow unique religious teachings but culturally similar to Persians.

History: Persecuted in Iran, as the government does not recognize the Bahá’í Faith as an official religion. Many have fled to other countries.

Persians

Ethnicity: Persian (Indo-European)

Language: Persian (Farsi)

Religion: Mostly Shi’a Muslim, but historically included Zoroastrians before Islam

Culture: Rich in literature, poetry (e.g., Rumi, Hafez), art, and philosophy. Considered the dominant ethnic groupin Iran.

History: Descendants of the ancient Persian Empire, which influenced world civilization through innovations in governance, architecture, and science.

kurds

Ethnicity: Kurdish (Indo-European)

Language: Kurdish, but many speak Persian

Religion: Mostly Sunni Muslim, with some Shi’a and Yazidi minorities

Culture: Known for tribal traditions, music, and strong nationalist movements.

History: Have lived in western Iran for centuries but have faced political repression. Some Kurds seek greater autonomy within Iran.

shias

• believe that Ali (the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad) and his descendants are the rightful leaders of the Muslim community.

• 90-95% of Iranians are Shi’a Muslim.

• established as state rel in 16th century

sunnis

• believe that the caliphs (starting with Abu Bakr) were the rightful leaders of the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad, rather than following a bloodline (as Shi’as do with Ali and his descendants).

• 5-10% of Iran’s population.

• Most Sunnis in Iran are Kurds, Baluchis, Turkmens, and some Arabs.

• face discrimination, such as restrictions on building new mosques in major cities like Tehran.

Zoroastrianism

• Zoroastrianism was the state religion of the Achaemenid Empire (circa 550–330 BCE) and remained dominant in Persia for centuries.

• influenced other major world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, especially ideas like heaven, hell, and a messiah.

• small minority in modern-day Iran, with estimates of about 25,000 to 30,000 followers.

qajar dynasty

• 1794-1925

• couldnt tie their legitmacy to the imams

• lived a lavish lifestyle → debt → const revo of 1905-1909

Qom

• south of tehran

• one of the holiest cities in Iran and a spiritual hub for Shia Muslims worldwide.

• played a key role in Shia politics, especially after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

shariah

islamic law

• Marriage is governed by Islamic principles. Women must have the consent of a male guardian (usually their father) to marry, and polygamy is allowed for men (up to four wives), although it is less common.

• Men have the right to initiate divorce at any time

• Inheritance laws are based on Islamic principles

• Hijab and modesty laws

• theft - amputation of hand

theocracy

gov ruled by religion

islamic revolutionary guard corps SEPAH

• created by Ayatollah Khomeini

• protect the new Islamic Republic of Iran from both internal and external threats

• vital role in the Islamic Revolution by supporting Khomeini’s movement and fighting against the Shah’s regime

• considered to have significant control over Iran’s military operations,

constituitional revolution of 1905-1909

• response to the absolute power of the Qajar dynasty, foreign interference, and the desire for reform.

• common people faced poverty, taxation, and inflation

• Shi’a clerics in Qom opposed the Qajar monarchy and foreign powers

• constitutionalists and the monarchists escalated. The Qajar king reluctantly agreed to the creation of a constitution under pressure from the people.

• Iran’s First Constitution: In 1906,

corporatism

close relationship between the state and various interest groups, including the clergy, business elites, and military organizations.

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and state-controlled bodies often have a significant role in decision-making.

green movement

• pro-democracy protest movement

• after the controversial 2009 presidential election.

• led by reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi

• election fraud in favor of incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

• young voters and urban populations, believed the results were rigged and that Mousavi was the real winner.

• named after party color and the color mousavi wore

hostage crisis of 1979 1980

• diplomatic standoff between the United States and Iran

• 2 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days after Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran

• ajor international incident, worsening relations between the two countries and significantly impacting U.S. politics.

iranian islamic revolution 1979

mass uprising that led to the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

coup d’etat

1. 1921 Coup – Rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi → pahlavi dynasty

2. 1953 Coup – Overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh → CIA- and MI6-backed operation that removed Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh

tehran spring

period of political and social reform in Iran during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami (1997–2005)

white revolution

• series of major reforms launched by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1963 to modernize and westernize Iran.

• Shah introduced these reforms without public debate or democratic approval, branding them as a “revolution from above

• Women gained the right to vote (1963).

foundations bonyads

large, state-controlled charitable foundations in Iran that manage significant portions of the economy

originally intended to help the poor, but they have grown into powerful economic and political entities, often operating outside government oversight.

ministry of culture and islamic guidance

main government body responsible for controlling media, arts, and cultural activities in Iran.

key role in censorship, promoting Islamic values, and regulating the press, cinema, literature, and social media.

national front 1950s

pro-democracy, nationalist political movement in the 1950s, led by Mohammad Mossadegh. It sought to limit the Shah’s power, promote democracy, and nationalize Iran’s oil industry, which was dominated by the British.

refomrist v conservative

refomist = less censorship, more individual freedoms, and political pluralism + Support economic modernization while maintaining Islamic values.

conservative = Preservation of Islamic principles and the continuation of the status quo in Iranian governance.

rentier state

largest producers of oil and natural gas

oil sector contributes around 20–30% of Iran’s GDP

shah

monarch

reza shah pahlavi

muhammad reza shah pahlavi

1920s to 1979

basij

Basij was established in 1979, shortly after the revolution, by Ayatollah Khomeini to protect the newly established Islamic Republic from both internal and external threats.

mobilize ordinary people (especially the poor and oppressed) to participate in defending the revolution

enforces moral codes

resource curse

• oil

• nat gas

SAVAK

secret police, domestic security, and intelligence service of the Pahlavi regime in Iran, operating from 1957 to 1979.

reza shah

Founder of the Pahlavi Dynasty (1925–1941).

• Modernized Iran, focusing on industrialization, education, and infrastructure (roads, railways).

• Secularized Iran by reducing the power of the clergy and pushing for Western-style reforms.

• Changed Persia’s name to Iran in 1935 to strengthen national identity.

• Centralized power, establishing a strong, authoritarian regime.

muhammad reza shah

Son of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the Pahlavi Dynasty, he ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979 until his overthrowduring the Islamic Revolution.

• Known for initiating the White Revolution (1963), a series of socio-economic reforms, including land redistribution, women’s suffrage, and industrial development.

• Focused on Westernization and modernization, strengthening ties with the U.S. and other Western powers.

Reformist:

• Implemented socio-economic reforms aimed at modernizing Iran, such as land reforms and women’s rights.

• Sought to modernize the economy and industrialize the country.

• Attempted to reduce the influence of the traditional clergy in politics.

• Conservative:

• His authoritarian rule, which involved heavy censorship and political repression, especially through agencies like SAVAK (his secret police), made him a conservative in terms of political freedoms.

• He was resistant to full democratization, concentrating power within the monarchy.

• His reforms were often top-down and disconnected from the broader populace, leading to growing discontent, especially among religious groups.

khomeini

Leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution; founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran; first Supreme Leader.

Reformist:

• Led revolution against monarchy and Western influence.

• Promoted Islamic governance with Velayat-e Faqih.

• Conservative:

• Advocated for strict Shia Islamic law (Sharia).

• Rolled back secular reforms, limited women’s rights, and oppressed political dissent.

ali khameini

Current Supreme Leader of Iran (since 1989), following Khomeini’s death.

conservatuive

hasan Rouhani

President of Iran from 2013 to 2021; key figure in negotiating the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

reformmist

ebrahim raisi

President of Iran since 2021; previously head of Iran’s Judiciary; a prominent figure in the conservative faction.

conservative

masoud pezeshikian

known for his role as a member of the Iranian parliament and his work as a doctor.

various government positions and was a vice president of the Parliament in the past.

refromist