Government Structure

Iran’s government cannot be understood through the presidency alone. The constitutional framework identifies legislative, executive, and judicial branches, while placing them under the Leadership’s supervision. Article 57 therefore combines a statement of institutional independence with a supervisory authority above the branches. s1

The House of Commons Library describes several centres of political power operating within the doctrine of guardianship of the Islamic jurist. This doctrine gives a qualified religious jurist a governing role; it is embedded in the state’s institutional design rather than functioning only as religious advice. The elected president and parliament work within that framework. s2

The Supreme Leader’s responsibilities include setting general policies, supervising their implementation, and commanding the armed forces. The Council on Foreign Relations also emphasizes political resources beyond formal powers, including patronage and influence over media. Its account helps explain why an organization chart cannot fully represent the distribution of authority. s3

The Guardian Council connects several institutions. Its clerical members are appointed by the Leader; its other jurists are selected by parliament from nominees of the judiciary’s head. Reviewing legislation and screening election candidates give it influence both over what elected institutions can enact and over who can enter them. These are different functions, even though the same body performs them. s3

Independent assessments question how far the constitutional separation of institutions operates in practice. The Bertelsmann Transformation Index’s 2026 report describes the judiciary as politically dependent and argues that the presidency and parliament have lost influence as power has consolidated around the Leadership. These are analytical findings about institutional performance, rather than additional constitutional rules. s4

This distinction matters when evaluating a policy announcement. Identifying the ministry or elected official responsible is a starting point; assessing implementation also requires evidence about decisions, resources, and intervention by other centres of authority. The Commons Library similarly treats security and foreign policy as areas subject to the Supreme Leader’s overarching influence. s2s4

The branches below provide different entry points: the executive concerns administration, the legislature concerns lawmaking and oversight, and the judiciary concerns adjudication. Their relationships should be read alongside the institutions that supervise, appoint, or review them. The central question is both who holds a responsibility and what constrains its exercise. s1s3