After the Iranian Revolution, or otherwise known as the Islamic revolution, and the fall of the Iranian monarchy, Iran became in 1979 a theocratic Islamic republic founded by the until then exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, who was then established as the supreme religious and political leader. .

Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini remained in office until his death at the age of 89 in June 1989. He was then succeeded by the current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who at the time was the president of Iran.

According to the Iranian constitution, the Supreme Leader of Iran has the role of head of state and has the final say on everything – he commands the country, not the country’s President. So, the sudden death of President Raisi and likely successor Khamenei, leaves a gap in the succession but is not going to change the governance of the country, no matter who is appointed a new president.

But Khamenei’s successor may not necessarily be Iran’s next president — usually determined by national elections — but another official. This is defined by the “Council of Experts”. Or perhaps from the all-powerful “Council of Guardians” (Guardian Council)?

Council of Experts

The Assembly of Experts consists of 86 “virtuous and learned” clerics who are elected by the people every eight years, after the list of names is first approved by the “Council of Guardians” (as happens in the presidential and parliamentary elections in Iran).

The 86 must then be approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader before entering the Council.

The Experts – when the time comes – elect one of the Council members to the position of Supreme Leader of the country.

The Assembly, however, has never officially objected to any decision of the Supreme Leader.

Council of Guardians (Guardian Council)

The Council of Guardians comprises twelve jurists – of whom six are appointed by the Supreme Leader and the other 6 by the head of the judiciary, who is appointed by the Supreme Leader and in turn appoints the president of the Supreme Court and the General State Attorney.

The Guardian Council is empowered to interpret the Constitution and rule on the compatibility of laws with Islamic Law.

If a piece of legislation is found to be contrary to Islamic law, it is referred to parliament for review.

Finally, this body examines those who wish to be candidates in the presidential or parliamentary elections and decides whether they can participate or not.

Simply put, as an Iranian political analyst explained to Reuters: Through the Guards Council, the Supreme Leader approves the nominees of the Experts, who will potentially succeed him, making the election process anything but free and fair.