APCoGo - Iran Vocabulary

Assembly of Religious Experts -  A directly elected body responsible for selecting, supervising, and, if necessary, dismissing the Supreme Leader. Members are required to be Islamic scholars and serve eight-year terms.

Majlis - Iran’s unicameral legislature, composed of 290 members elected by popular vote for four-year terms. The Majlis drafts laws, approves budgets, and ratifies international treaties but is subject to oversight by the Guardian Council.

Supreme Leader - The highest authority in Iran, possessing control over the military, judiciary, state media, and religious institutions. He has the power to appoint key government officials, including the heads of the military and judiciary, and serves for life unless removed by the Assembly of Religious Experts.

Guardian Council - A 12-member body (six clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists nominated by the Judiciary and approved by the Majlis) that vets candidates for elections and ensures legislation aligns with Islamic law and the Constitution.

Ayatollah - A high-ranking Shi’a Islamic cleric with significant religious and political influence, particularly in Iran’s theocratic system.

Vetting - The process by which the Guardian Council approves or disqualifies candidates for elections and reviews laws to ensure compliance with Islamic principles.

Expediency Council - A body appointed by the Supreme Leader to mediate disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council. It also advises on key policies and includes influential political and military figures.

Jurist Guardianship (Velayat-e Faqih) - The principle that senior Islamic clerics should have authority over the government, forming the basis for Iran’s theocratic system as established by Ayatollah Khomeini.

Qanun (Civil Law) - Laws passed by the Majlis that govern areas not explicitly covered by Shari’ah law but must still align with Islamic principles.

Azeri - Iran’s largest ethnic minority, mainly residing in the northwest near the Azerbaijan border. They are mostly Shi’a Muslims and generally integrated into Iranian society.

Baha’i - A religious minority in Iran that faces severe persecution as their faith is not officially recognized by the government. They are often denied rights such as education and employment.

Persians - The dominant ethnic group in Iran, making up the majority of the population. They primarily speak Farsi and adhere to Shi’a Islam.

Kurds - A significant ethnic minority in western Iran, primarily Sunni Muslims, who have historically sought greater autonomy and have faced government suppression.

Shi’ites/Sunnis (Iran focus) - Iran is predominantly Shi’a Muslim, with Sunnis making up a small minority, mainly among Kurds and Baluchis. Sunnis have limited political representation and often face discrimination.

Zoroastrianism - One of the world’s oldest religions, originating in Persia. Although a recognized religious minority in Iran, Zoroastrians have limited political representation and face societal discrimination.

Qajar Dynasty - Ruled Iran from 1789 to 1925, overseeing a period of foreign intervention and economic decline. They were overthrown by Reza Shah, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty.

Qom (city) - A major religious center in Iran, home to many Islamic seminaries and the shrine of Fatimah Masumeh. It is an influential hub for Shi’a clerics and religious decision-making.

Shari’ah law (examples in Iran) - Islamic law is enforced in areas such as criminal justice, family law, and dress codes. Examples include the mandatory hijab for women and severe punishments for blasphemy.

Theocracy - A government system where religious leaders control political power, and laws are based on religious doctrine. Iran is an example of a modern theocracy.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (SEPAH) - A powerful military force established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution to protect the Islamic Republic. It has vast influence over Iran’s economy, security, and foreign policy.

Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1909 - A movement that led to the creation of Iran’s first constitution and parliament, limiting the power of the Qajar dynasty. However, clerics and monarchists later undermined many of its reforms.

Corporatist (Iran context) - Iran’s political system incorporates state-controlled interest groups, such as labor unions and religious organizations, rather than allowing independent civil society groups.

Green Movement (2009) - A major protest movement following the disputed 2009 presidential election, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner amid allegations of fraud. The government violently suppressed protests.

Hostage Crisis of 1979-1980 - Iranian students took 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, deepening tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iranian (Islamic) Revolution of 1979 - The overthrow of Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. It established a theocratic government.

Coup d’état (Iran focus) - The 1953 coup, orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence, overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah to protect Western oil interests.

Tehran Spring - A period of political openness under President Mohammad Khatami in the late 1990s and early 2000s, marked by increased press freedom and civil society activism.

White Revolution - A series of reforms launched by Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1960s, including land redistribution, women’s rights expansion, and modernization, which angered traditional clerics.

Foundations (Bonyads) - State-controlled charitable organizations that manage large portions of Iran’s economy. They often operate with little oversight and serve the interests of the regime.

Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance - The government agency responsible for regulating media, the arts, and cultural activities to ensure they align with Islamic and revolutionary values.

National Front (1950s) - A secular nationalist movement led by Mohammad Mossadegh, advocating for the nationalization of oil. It was crushed after the 1953 coup.

Reformist vs. Conservatives (Iran’s political groups) - Reformists seek greater civil liberties and democratic reforms, while conservatives prioritize religious rule and resist Western influence.

Rentier State (Iran context) - Iran heavily relies on oil revenues rather than a diversified economy, which weakens accountability and fosters corruption.

Shah - The title for Iran’s monarch before the 1979 Revolution, with Reza Shah and Muhammad Reza Shah being the last two rulers.

Basij - A volunteer paramilitary force under the IRGC, used to suppress dissent, enforce morality laws, and assist in military operations.

Resource Curse (Iran context) - Iran’s wealth in oil has led to economic mismanagement, corruption, and dependency on volatile global markets instead of diversified development.

SAVAK - The secret police under the Shah, known for suppressing dissent and using torture to eliminate political opposition.

Reza Shah - The founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, he modernized Iran but ruled as an authoritarian leader before being forced into exile by the British in 1941.

Muhammad Reza Shah - Iran’s last monarch, whose authoritarian rule, economic policies, and close ties with the U.S. led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Ayatollah Khomeini - The leader of the 1979 Revolution and Iran’s first Supreme Leader, establishing theocratic rule under the principle of Jurist Guardianship.

Ali Khamenei - The second Supreme Leader, succeeding Khomeini in 1989. He holds ultimate authority in Iran’s political and religious affairs.

Hassan Rouhani - President from 2013 to 2021, known for negotiating the Iran Nuclear Deal and attempting moderate reforms.

Ebrahim Raisi - The current President of Iran, a conservative cleric with close ties to the IRGC and a history of involvement in political repression.

Massoud Pezeshkian - A reformist politician and a former Minister of Health, known for advocating moderate policies and civil liberties.