The Iranian political system is a unique blend of theocracy and republicanism, officially termed as the "Islamic Republic. " This system emerged following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. The theoretical foundation of this system is primarily based on the concept of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the revolution leader. Why is Iran an Islamic Republic The concept of Velayat-e Faqih argues that in the absence of the Twelfth Imam (believed by Twelver Shia Muslims to be in occultation), the governance of the Muslim community should be entrusted to a just and capable Islamic jurist....
Understanding Political Structures: Philosophical Underpinnings of the Iranian Political System
Author
Anmol Kumar
Anmol Kumar currently works as an Assistant Editor at Defence and Security Alert (DSA) Magazine. He holds a Bachelors in Persian language from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Masters in International Relations from Pondicherry University. He is well known for his research and analyses on topics like defence strategy, geopolitics, West Asia and anything that falls under the purview of international relations.
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