Clerics
➔ In Iran, the concept of jurist guardianship states that senior clerics have authority over the entire community.
Theocracy
➔ A state dominated by the clergy, who rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God's will and law.
Sharia
➔ Islamic law derived mostly from the Qur'an (Koran) and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
➔ President of Iran from 2005-2013. Not a cleric. Confrontation with the West. Holocaust denier.
Assembly of Experts
➔ Elected body of 86 members that chooses the supreme leader (men/Islamic scholars) (8 yr terms)
➔ Difficult to say how powerful a role this body will play once Khamenei passes away
Ayatollah
➔ In Shiite Islam, a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.
Basij
➔ "People's militia," which serves as a public moral police.
Bonyads
➔ Parastatal foundations made in part from assets nationalized after the Iranian Revolution.
Expediency Council
➔ Appointed body that mediates between the Majlis and the Guardian Council over legislative disputes.
Farsi
➔ Language of Iran
Guardian Council
➔ Appointed body that vets candidates for office and can veto legislation (limits Majlis) (12 members/6yr terms) (6 lawyers nominated by chief justice and approved by Majlis, and 6 clerics appointed by supreme leader).
Islamic Republic of Iran
➔ Name for post-revolutionary Iran.
Khamenei, Ali
➔ Current supreme leader of Iran since 1989.
Majlis
➔ Legislature of Iran
Pahlavi, Reza Shah
➔ Monarch of Iran from 1925 to 1941
Persia
➔ Name for Iran before 1935
Revolutionary Guard
➔ Paramilitary force charged with defending the regime from domestic and internal enemies.
Shiism
➔ Minority sect of Islam that differs with Sunnism over the proper descendants of the prophet Muhammad.
Supreme leader
➔ Chief spiritual and political leader of Iran.
Supreme court
➔ Chief judicial body
Chief justice
➔ The apex of the judiciary: a single figure qualified in Sharia law (cleric) and appointed by the supreme leader. Appoints/removes judges.
Directly elected institutions
➔ President, Majles, Assembly of Religious Experts
Green Revolution
➔ 2009 dispute over validity of election results. Supporters of Mousavi the reformist.
1979 Revolution
➔ Led by Khomeini. People were upset because their leader (the shah) was not chosen by them; backed up by Europe and the US. They believed their resources were being abused and wanted change. Revolution was intended to turn Iran into a purely Islamic state. The new government followed the sharia and all western culture was banned.