Government

Under the constitution of 1979, Iran is an Islamic republic in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are under the supreme authority of the wali fagih (religious leader). He is selected for life by the Council of Experts, a body of 83 clerics. A president, directly elected for a four-year term, serves as head of state. Members of the Majlis, the legislature, are directly elected for four-year terms. All legislation is reviewed by the Council of Guardians—six Islamic jurists appointed by the wali fagih and six lay lawyers appointed by the High Court (the nation's highest judicial body).