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Government institutions in Iran, including legislatures, judicial bodies, and executive agencies.
88-member clerical body elected by popular vote (from candidates vetted by the Guardian Council) responsible for appointing, supervising, and if necessary removing the Supreme Leader. In practice the Assembly has never exercised its supervisory power against a sitting Supreme Leader. Following Khamenei's death in February 2026, the Assembly convened to select Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader — a selection that consolidated dynastic succession and drew significant criticism.
Twelve-member body that vets all legislation and electoral candidates in Iran, comprising six Islamic jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists elected by parliament from candidates nominated by the judiciary. The Guardian Council has systematically disqualified reformist and moderate candidates from elections, concentrating political power in conservative factions aligned with the Supreme Leader. Its vetting power makes it one of the most consequential unelected bodies in Iran's constitutional structure.
