Iran is a country located in Western Asia and also considered a part of the Middle East and you have likely heard much about the country over the last decade or so in the news and all, especially related to its nuclear ambitions, the Iran Nuclear Deal, and movements in conflicts within the Middle East via Iranian proxies such as militias backed by the country, and also operations against Iranian figures by the US. It is certainly one of those flashpoints that could potentially turn into a dangerous and devastating regional or wider war.
The country is also known as Persia and is bordered with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Nakhchivan autonomous republic, Turkey and Iraq. It also has a coast along the Caspian Sea, with access to Russia and Kazakhstan, and coasts along the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman giving access to the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean, facing Iran across the Gulfs and Strait are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman. Iran’s capital city is Tehran, located not too far from the Caspian Sea coast in the North-Central area of the country. As you can imagine Iran’s positioning gives it major strategic significance in conflicts, trade routes and other political interests.
Iran is the area of one of the oldest civilizations and the land and country has a long history. It started with the formation of the Elamite Kingdoms in the fourth millennia BC, it was the Iranian Medes who unified the lands in the seventh century BC and by the sixth century BC Cyrus the Great had founded the Achaemenid Empire, one of the largest empires in history. This empire would fall to Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC and the land was divided up into a number of Hellenistic States.
The Iranians eventually successfully rebelled which led to the creation of the Parthian Empire in the third century BC, later succeeded by the Sasanian Empire, which grew into a major world power which was maintained for four centuries. In the seventh century AD the empire was conquered by Arab Muslims, which Islamized Iran turning it from Zoroastrianism (which was regionally dominant up until then) and into a major center for Islamic Culture, with its art, literature, philosophy, and architecture playing an important role in the Muslim world during the Islamic Golden Age.
The next two centuries saw various native Muslim dynasties rise and fall until the Seljuk Turks and then Mongols conquered the region. By the 15th Century a unified Iranian land would once again be established, this time by the native Safavids and the lands would convert to Shia Muslim, marking an important point in Islamic/Muslim history for the region. The unified nation would go on to be a major world power and expand further under various rulers and dynasties, although would suffer losses to the Russian Empire during the 19th Century.
The early 20th Century saw the establishment of a parliamentary system after the Persian Constitutional Revolution. Iran’s moves to nationalize fossil fuel angered Western companies, specifically those of the United Kingdom and the United States, who would lead a boycott and eventually take military action, and also collude with Iranian elements to perform a coup in 1953 to install Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as Shah, increasing autocratic rule and serving the political ambitions of the Western nations and increasing their influence over Iran.
During this time the Shah launched the White Revolution to modernize the country both socially and also by improving infrastructure, among other improvements, which was also a political motive to get more support on side for the Shah. But despite these reforms and improvements major discontent still existed over social injustices, religious tensions, leftist tensions, discontent with Shah rule and Western influence among other things, this culminated in the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979 that overthrew the Shah, ending the monarchy, and transforming the state into an Islamic Republic with a theocratic constitution and made the autocratic position of Supreme Leader, which is the highest political and religious authority in Iran held by the Grand Ayatollah, title for the highest Usuli Shia authority.
Now a days Iran serves as a strong regional power and moderate world power, with political and military tensions with Israel and the West, particularly that of the United States. Iran is often criticized and subject to harsh sanctions by the West for human rights abuses, nuclear issues, regional proxy and military actions, accused of sponsoring terrorism, and undemocratic values etc. Saudi Arabia and Israel are considered regional rivals of Iran. Iran was a founding member of the UN, Economic Cooperation Organisation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and OPEC.
Iran’s official religion is Shia Islam and its official language is Persian, and a number of other regional language are recognised such as Azerbaijani, other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilak, Luri, Balochi, Arabic and others, this is also representative of the various ethnic groups in Iran, with the largest being Persian, followed by Azerbaijani, Kurd, Lur, various Turkic peoples and so on. The country’s currency is the Iranian Rial and the country’s population is over 84,689,170, with the country aiming to make its population further increase.
Government Type
Iran has a unique theocratic government that follows Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, a Shia theory where the country, its people, affairs, etc are under jurisprudence or guardianship of an Islamic Jurist either in part or absolute (in Iran’s case it is the Grand Ayatollah and person holding title of Sayyid who have been Supreme Leader twice so far). Iran’s system combines theocracy with presidential democracy, there is the Supreme Leader who is highest religious and political authority and Head of State who serves for life, and there is an elected President who serves as Head of Government.
Iran has an elected Unicameral parliament called the Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majilis that makes up the legislative government. There are also two councils that wield considerable power within Iran, the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council, which we shall go over more later.
Political parties exist but only those vetted by the Guardian Council, parties are divided up into factions or groupings within the Majilis. Independents are also allowed but again all candidates must first be vetted and confirmed by the Guardian Council and approved by the Supreme Leader.
Under An Ideological Army it is stated that the formation and equipping of the Army of the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps must pay due attention to faith and ideology as a basic criterion, not only responsible for guarding and preserving the nations frontiers but also fulfilling the ideological mission of jihad in God’s way, which includes extending sovereignty of God’s law throughout the world.
The judiciary of the country enforces Islamic Law and prevents deviation within the Islamic Nation. As such provision exists for a judicial system based on Islamic justice operated by judges who have meticulous knowledge of the Islamic laws.
The Islamic Republic itself under Chapter I, Article 1 of the Constitution, is a form of government endorsed by the people of Iran on a basis of longstanding belief in the sovereignty of truth and Qur’anic justice, via a referendum after the victorious Islamic Revolution.
The Islamic Republic is based on belief in the One God “There is no god except Allah”, and His exclusive sovereignty and right to legislate, and the necessity of submission to His commands; divine revelation and its fundamental role in setting forth laws; the return of God in the hereafter, and constructive role of this belief in the course of man’s ascent towards God; justice of God in creation and legislation; continuous leadership by imamah and perpetual guidance, and its fundamental role in in ensuring uninterrupted process of the revolution of Islam; and the exalted dignity and value of man, and his freedom coupled with responsibility before God.
More specifically the constitution says the official religion is Islam and the Twelver Ja’fari School (in usul al-Din and fiqh), which must remain eternally immutable. Other Islamic schools are to be accorded full respect, with their followers free to act within their own jurisprudence in performing religious rites. Such schools enjoy official status in matters pertaining to religious education, affairs of personal status, and related litigation in courts. It also states in regions where Muslims following such schools of fiqh constitute a majority, local regulations, within bounds of jurisdiction of local councils, are to be in accordance with the respective school of fiqh, without infringing rights of followers of other schools.
Zoroastrianism, Jewish, and Christian Iranians are the only recognised religious minorities who, within limits of law, are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and act in their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education.
Under Chapter I, Article 14, it is stated that the Government of Iran and all Muslims are duty-bound to treat non-Muslims in conformity of ethical norms and principles of Islamic justice and equity, and respect their human rights, although it goes on to state that this applies to all who refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activity against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Under Chapter III, Article 27, public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.
Under Chapter IV, Article 57 it is stated that powers of the government of the Islamic Republic are vested in the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive powers, which function under the supervision of the absolute wilayat al-’amr and the leadership of the Ummah. It says these powers are independent of each other.
The country’s constitution cites numerous Islamic religious texts to justify its chapters and articles and other provisions.
The country’s constitution forbids granting of concessions to foreigners to set up or form companies or institutions dealing with commerce, industry, agriculture, services, or mineral extraction. Employment of foreign experts is forbidden except in cases of necessity with consent of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
It is believed by Western powers and many within them, such as politicians, experts and general populace that the current Supreme Leader has become an autocratic figure who has become more powerful than systems of checks and balances provided by the constitution, such as the Assembly of Experts for example, and that the current Supreme Leader is now dictator in all but name, subverting constitutional rules to remain in power via intimidation and abuse of authority.
Goals
The constitution states a number of goals for the government of Iran under Chapter I, Article 3. These include but not limited to, growth of moral virtues based on faith and piety, struggle against all forms of vice and corruption, raising level of public awareness in all areas via various means, free education and physical training for everyone at all levels, strengthening spirit of inquiry, investigation, and innovation in all areas, complete elimination of imperialism and foreign influence, elimination of all forms of despotism and autocracy and all attempts to monopolize power, ensuring political and social freedoms via framework of law, abolition of all forms of undesirable discrimination, planning of correct and just economic system in accordance with Islamic criteria, securing multifarious rights of all citizens, and framing foreign policy on basis of Islamic criteria and fraternal commitment to all Muslims etc.
The Supreme Leader and Executive Government
Supreme Leader
The Supreme Leader is the Head of State and highest political and religious figure in Iran. The constitution states under The Wilayah of the Just Faqih that the position of Supreme Leader will be held by a Faqih who possess necessary qualifications and recognised as leader by the people – in accordance with the hadith where direction of public affairs is in the hands of those who are learned concerning God and are trustworthy in matters pertaining to what He permits and forbids. The purpose of this leadership is to prevent any deviation by various organs of State from their essential Islamic duties.
The duties of the Supreme Leader are delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran after consultation with the Nation’s Exigency Council. The Supreme Leader supervises proper execution of the general policies of the system. The Supreme Leader resolves problems through the Nation’s Exigency Council that cannot be solved via conventional methods.
The Supreme Leader issues decrees for national referenda.
The Supreme Leader is the Supreme Commander of the country’s defense forces. The Supreme Leader declares war, makes peace, and can mobilize the armed forces. The Supreme Leader works to resolve differences between the three wings of the country’s armed forces and regulates their relations.
The Supreme Leader can appoint, dismiss and accept resignations of fuqaha’ of the Guardian Council; the supreme judicial authority of the country (the Head of the Judicial Power who is a just Mujtahid well versed in judiciary affairs and possesses prudence and administrative abilities for period of 5-years); the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic of Iran; the chief of the joint staff; the chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Crops; and the supreme commanders of the armed forces.
The Supreme Leader gives approval to a presidential candidate running for a first term (such approval afterwards is down via the Guardian Council) and the Supreme Leader signs a decree that formalizes the election of the President.
The Supreme Leader can dismiss the President with due regard to interests of the country if the Supreme Court holds him guilty of violating the constitution or after vote of the Islamic Consultative Council testifying the President’s incompetence.
The Supreme Leader can pardon and reduce sentences of convicts, within framework of Islamic criteria, on recommendation from the Head of the Judicial Power.
The Supreme Leader can delegate their duties and powers to another person.
Executive Government and President of Iran
Functions of the executive are exercised by the President and the ministers, unless such matters are instead placed under the jurisdiction of the Leadership (Supreme Leader). The President is the Head of Government in Iran, which is rather unique as in many countries the President is the Head of State instead, but of course in Iran the Supreme Leader is instead the Head of State, interestingly they chose not to have the Head of Government be titled as Prime Minister, which could relate to matters going back to the Shah, as back then there was a Prime Minister as Head of Government – and as such calling the Head of Government President instead is one of many ways to dissociate from those times. The religious element also likely plays a strong role as well.
Duties
The President and Government of Iran must keep the confidence of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to remain in power. The President is the 2nd highest official in Iran after the Supreme Leader. The President is responsible to the people, the Islamic Consultative Council, and the Supreme Leader.
The President signs legislation and referenda that have passed and been approved into law, the President has no power to veto or reject such, the President will send the legislation or referenda to appropriate authorities for its implementation. The President also signs treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements concluded by the Government after they have been approved by the Islamic Consultative Council.
The President can appoint deputies for assistance, the first deputy is vested with responsibilities of administering affairs of the Council of Ministers and coordination of functions of other deputies.
The President is responsible for the national planning and budget and state employment affairs and can entrust administration of these matters to others.
Under special circumstances and with Council of Ministers approval the President can appoint special representatives who have specific powers. The decisions of these representatives are considered same as those of the President and Council of Ministers.
President appoints ambassadors upon recommendation by the foreign minister. President signs credentials of ambassadors and receives credentials of foreign ambassadors.
During times of war and while the country is occupied by military forces, elections due to be held in occupied areas or countrywide can be delayed for a specified amount of time by proposal of the President. This must be approved by a three-fourths majority of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and be endorsed by the Guardian Council.
Proclamation of martial law is forbidden. If there is war or emergency conditions akin to war, then the government does have the right to impose certain restrictions necessary for a certain period, such must have the consent of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and these restrictions cannot last longer than 30 days, but if need persists to go beyond this limit, government must obtain renewed consent from the Assembly.
Domestic and foreign loans and grants-in-aid taken by the government must be first given consent by the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
After forming the Council of Ministers, the President must obtain a vote of confidence for it from the Assembly. During the President’s term they can also ask for a vote of confidence on the Council of Ministers from the Assembly on important and controversial issues.
Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is the highest executive decision-making body of the Government. The Ministers are appointed by the President and will be presented to the Islamic Consultative Council for a vote of confidence. Number of Ministers and their jurisdiction is determined by law.
The President heads the Council of Ministers and will supervise their work, and will take all necessary measures to coordinate decisions of the Government. The President determines programme and policies of Government and implements laws with the cooperation of Ministers.
Ministers can be dismissed by the President or removed via a vote of confidence held by the Islamic Consultative Council. The President can appoint caretakers to Ministries without a Minister for a maximum of three months. When a Minister is replaced again the President must request a vote of confidence on said replacement. The Government as a whole must face a renewed confidence vote if more than half of the Ministers are dismissed and changed over any period of time.
Council of Ministers are collectively responsible for actions they take.
Absence
If the President dies, is dismissed, resigns, becomes absent for whatever reason for longer than 2 months or has an illness preventing them from carrying out duties for longer than 2 months, or if the President’s term has ended but impediments have prevented election of a new President, then the President’s first deputy will, with the approval of the Supreme Leader, take up the responsibilities and powers of the President, if there is no first deputy then the Supreme Leader will appoint one.
During this time a Council will exist consisting of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Head of the Judicial Power, and the first deputy of the President, who are required to arrange election for a new President within 50 days.
Also, during this time Ministers cannot be interpellated or have confidence called into question. The constitution also cannot be reviewed and no referendums can be held.
The Legislative Government and Important Councils
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The consultative body for the nation is the Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majilis which is the country’s unicameral legislative organ. The constitution also states that Provincial Councils, and the City, Region, District, and Village Councils are decision-making and administrative organs of the country. Since we’re focusing nationally, this part goes over the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Guardian Council, and the Assembly of Experts.
Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majilis)
The Islamic Consultative Assembly exercises the functions of the legislature. It currently consists of 290 elected members, there were originally 270 but the constitution allows may increase membership by not more than 20 for each ten-year period from the date of the national referendum of the year 1368 of the solar Islamic calendar (the referendum that took place after the Islamic Revolution). Candidates who run for election first needing to be vetted by the Guardian Council. After elections the Islamic Consultative Assembly decides on its Code of Procedure, internal rules that determine how drafts and bills are approved and how elections within are conducted, number of committees and their term of office, and internal rules around conduction of discussions, and maintaining discipline (where the constitution has not already specified) in the Assembly, adopted via a two-thirds majority.
There is a Speaker elected who presides over the Assembly and enforces the code of procedure and keeps order. And there is an elected Presiding Board of the Assembly that handles the Assembly’s procedure, administration, and matters.
In social, political, economic, and cultural matters that are extremely important, the functions of the legislature can be exercised through a referendum via popular vote. Any request for a referendum on a matter must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly.
Legislation is introduced to this assembly where it is scrutinized, possibly amended, and either passed or rejected, this legislation then goes on to be approved by the Guardian Council, after approval it is then signed into law by the President and then implemented by the executive and judiciary. The Assembly has authority to establish laws on all matters within the limits of its competence as guided by the constitution. The constitution restricts the Assembly from enacting laws contrary to the usul and ahkam of the official religion (Shia Islam), the Guardian Council has the authority to determine whether such violations have occurred, including on legislation that violate the constitution.
Legislation can be introduced by both the Government and private members’, for Government bills they are first approved by the Council of Ministers and Members’ Bills need at least fifteen members to sponsor them for them to be introduced.
There are slight monetary limitations on members’ bills and amendments to Government bills, such as on reduction or increase in public income or the increase of public expenditure which may be introduced only if means for compensating in the decrease of income or for meeting the new expenditure have also been specified.
The Assembly has the right to investigate and examine all affairs of the country. International treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements must be approved by this Assembly.
Boundary changes to the country are forbidden, although minor changes can be made in keeping with the interests of the country and this is on the condition, they are not unilateral, do not encroach on independence and territorial integrity of country, and that such changes receive a four-fifths majority from this Assembly.
Sessions of the Assembly are open to the public but may be closed under emergency conditions due to national security, this can be done on requisition of the President, one of the ministers, or by at least 10 members of the Assembly. Legislation passed during closed sessions requires a three-fourths special majority and must also be in the presence of the Guardian Council. After emergency conditions end, minutes of closed session, and any legislation approved during that time, must be made available to the public.
Complaints can be made to the Assembly via petition that concerns the work of the Assembly or the executive power, or the judiciary power. This complaint must be investigated by the Assembly and they must give a satisfactory reply. If complaint relates to executive or judiciary, then the assembly must demand a proper investigation and an adequate explanation, and announce results within reasonable time. If complaints are in public interest, then such results will also be made publicly available.
The Assembly also provides oversight of the Government as explained below.
The President and his deputies and ministers have the right to attend sessions of the Assembly and to be heard, advisors can also accompany them. Members of the Assembly, if deemed necessary, can also oblige Ministers and the President to attend sessions and to answer questions.
Ministers who fail to turn up to interpellation may face a vote of no-confidence. In either case whether they face a vote of confidence or not, they will be unable to be appointed to the next Council of Ministers.
After interpellation of the President, two thirds of members of the Assembly can declare a vote of confidence against the President, this will be communicated to the Supreme Leader.
Guardian Council
Under Chapter I, Article 4 it is stated that all civil, penal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and other laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria, applying to, absolutely and generally, all articles of the country’s constitution as well as other laws and regulations. The Guardian Council are judges on these matters. The Guardian Council are also judges on constitutional matters.
This council is made up of 12 members, six adil fuqaha who are concious of the present needs and issues of the day, are appointed by the Supreme Leader; six who are jurists, specializing in different areas of law, are elected by the Islamic Consultative Assembly from among a list of Muslim jurists nominated by the Head of the Judicial Power. Members serve six year terms with council being renewed in half every 3-years.
Without existence of Guardian Council, the Islamic Consultative Council has no legal status apart from on approving credentials of members and electing the six jurists of the Guardian Council.
It is the job of the Guardian Council to receive, review and approve all legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, within 10-days, to make sure it is compatible with Islamic criteria and the constitution. If the Council finds the legislation incompatible it will send it back to the Assembly for review, if the legislation is otherwise compatible then it will be deemed enforceable. If the Guardian Council needs longer than 10-days to review legislation, then it can request the Assembly for an extension of the time limit up to another 10-days.
The determination that a law is compatible with the laws of Islam is determined by the majority vote of the fuqaha on the Guardian Council, while compatibility with the constitution is determined by majority vote of all members.
Members of Guardian Council may attend sessions of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Members of the Guardian Council must attend the Assembly when an urgent government or members’ bill is placed on the agenda, and they must make their views known.
Authority of the interpretation of the constitution is vested in the Guardian Council, via consent of three-fourths of its members.
The Guardian Council is also responsible for supervising elections of the Assembly of Experts on electing the Supreme Leader, elections of President, and elections of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and also referendums.
The Guardian Council also vets candidates for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Assembly of Experts, and for President, who are then approved by the Supreme Leader.
Council/Assembly of Experts – Election of Supreme Leader
The members of the Council of Experts are elected by the people, they currently number 88 members/mujtahids, they are elected from single and multi-seat constituencies using first-past-the-post and plurality at-large voting and serve a term of 8-years, candidate lists are vetted by Guardian Council and approved by Supreme Leader before elections. The Council of Experts are charged with determining and electing the next Supreme Leader.
The experts of this council review and consult among themselves concerning all the fuqaha’ who possess qualifications under Article 5 and 109 of the constitution.
These qualifications under Article 109 include scholarship, as is required for performing the different functions of mufti in different fields of fiqh; Justice and piety, as required for the leadership of the Islamic Ummah; right political and social perspicacity, prudence, courage, administrative facilities, and adequate capability for leadership.
In event they find one of the fuqaha’ better versed in Islamic regulations, the subjects of the fiqh, or in political and social issues, or possessing general popularity or special prominence under Article 109 qualifications, then they shall be elected as Supreme Leader – otherwise in absence of this superiority, the members of the council elect and declare one of themselves as the Supreme Leader.
The newly elected Supreme Leader assumes all powers of the wilayat al-amr and all responsibilities arising from it.
The Council of Experts can decide to remove and replace the Supreme Leader if they become incapable of fulfilling constitutional duties, or loses one of the qualifications under Articles 5 and 109, or if it becomes known that they never originally possessed such qualifications in the first place. Naturally the Supreme Leader is replaced by this council if they resign or die in office.
While a new Supreme Leader is being appointed, a council that consists of the President, Head of the Judicary Power, and a faqih from the Guardian Council, on decision of the Nationa’s Exigency Council, will temporarily take over the duties of the Supreme Leader, if any of them become incapable the Nation’s Exigency Council can replace them.
While the Supreme Leader is temporarily unable to perform duties due to illness or other incident, the Council of Experts will take over duties of the Supreme Leader until their return.
Note: It is believed by many the current Supreme Leader, the 2nd only Supreme Leader of Iran and the longest serving one, has become more powerful than the Assembly of Experts and subverts its power via intimidation and abuse of authority and that the council is not much more than a ceremonial farce now.
Nation’s Exigency Council
This is basically the advisory council of the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader can consult with it on various issues and other matters. This Council can also be called on to meet and resolve problems between the Guardian Council and Islamic Consultative Assembly that otherwise cannot be solved between themselves.
The Council considers any other issues sent to it by the Supreme Leader.
The Councils members are appointed by the Supreme Leader. Internal rules and procedure of council are decided on by its members after confirmation by the Supreme Leader.
The Electoral System
Under Chapter I, Article 6 it is stated that the affairs of the country must be administered on basis of public opinion expressed via means of elections, including that of the President, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and members of councils, or by referendum where specified by the Constitution.
Presidential elections take place every 4-years. The President is elected by direct absolute majority popular vote, if no absolute majority in 1st round then 2nd round is held between top two candidates. One person can hold only two successive terms, and then must step aside for at least a term before running again.
To be eligible for President a candidate must be from among religious and political personalities who are of Iranian origin, have Iranian citizenship, have required administrative capacity and resourcefulness; a good past record; trustworthiness and piety; a convinced belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the official madhhab of the country.
Parliamentary elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly take place every 4-years. Currently members are elected from single and multi-seat constituencies using a two-round system where candidates require an absolute majority to win in first round otherwise 2nd round is held between top two candidates.
Qualifications for voters and candidates, as well as nature of election, is specified by law rather than being constitutionally fixed. 290 members are elected by the populace for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, 285 of these are elected nationally as a whole, while five seats are reserved for minorities, these include Zoroastrians and Jews each electing one representative; Assyrians and Chaldean Christians jointly elect one representative; and Armenian Christians in the north and those in the south each electing one representative.
To vote in elections one must be an Iranian national who is at least 18-years-old, voting is not mandatory. Fun fact: Iran’s voting age used to be just 15-years-of-age but was increased to 18 in 2007.
Sources
The sources for this constitution come from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution of of 1979 with amendments through to 1989 (constituteproject.org) and so should be as up to date as possible but of course there is a chance that I missed some things and misinterpreted other things and and also this constitution can be amended and so it is suggested if using this in a serous capacity to perform cross research.
Source for election procedure in Islamic Consultative Assembly from CIA World Factbook Iran page.
The constitution can be amended via the Supreme Leader issuing an edict to the President after consultation with the Nation’s Exigency Council stipulating amendments or additions to be made by a Council specially constituted for the constitutional amendment called the Council for Revision of the Constitution.
This council consists of members of the Guardian Council, Heads of the three branches of Government, the permanent members of the Nation’s Exigency Council, five members from among the Assembly of Experts, ten representatives selected by the Supreme Leader, three representatives from the Council of Ministers, three representatives from the judiciary branch, ten representatives from among the members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and three representatives from among the university professors.
The decisions of the above Council, after confirmation and signatures of the Supreme Leader, shall be valid and adopted if approved by an absolute majority in a national referendum.
Articles and contents of Articles relating to Islamic character of the political system; the basis of rules and regulations according to Islamic criteria; the religious footing; objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran; the democratic character of the Government; the wilayat al-’amr; the Imamate of Ummah; administration of affairs of the country based on national referenda; official religion of Iran and the school cannot be removed, amended or altered.
Next up will be the government system of Iraq.
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