we explain to you how power works in Iran

In Tehran, the president plays a role closer to that of prime minister, with most power remaining in the hands of the Supreme Guide.

The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, ordered an investigation on Monday, May 20, into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raïssi and his entourage, according to the Isna news agency. Since Sunday and the death of the Iranian president, it is the first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, who has led the country while awaiting a new presidential election which must be held within 50 days. Franceinfo explains to you how the exercise of power works in this country.

A president rather… Prime minister

Since the 1979 revolution, most power in Iran has been concentrated in the hands of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. This is Ayatollah Khamenei, a conservative in office since 1989 and appointed for life by Mullahs, religious dignitaries. Ayatollah Khamenei has, under his authority, all of the country’s political, judicial, military and even media institutions. He is the one who determines Iran’s policy, he is also head of the armies.

For his part, the Iranian president exercises certain functions as head of state: he signs treaties and goes abroad to meet his counterparts. For example, he spoke on the phone a few months ago with Emmanuel Macron about the Israel-Hamas war. But in Iran, in reality, the president plays more of a role as prime minister, because he directs and coordinates government action.

Elected for four years

Unlike the Supreme Leader, the Iranian president is elected by universal suffrage, for a four-year term, renewable once. The Iranian president therefore draws his legitimacy from the presidential election. However, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, has the power to remove him at any time. The Iranian parliament can also make this decision.

A fragile function

The role of president is therefore fragile and his room for maneuver can sometimes be limited. For example, in the late 1990s with President Khatami, or in the 2010s when Hassan Rouhani was in power, both were rather moderate and reformist, but they failed to liberalize Iran as much as they wanted it because they suffered opposition from conservatives, whether in parliament or on the side of Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei. President Ebrahim Raïssi who has just died did not have this kind of problem with the Supreme Guide since they were both conservatives.