Clerics maintain stranglehold on contemporary Iran

While Iran has continued to develop its domestic defence capabilities and to sponsor militias around the region, the regime’s heavy-handedness in dealing with dissenting voices continues to alienate younger Iranians.

They may not be popular, but clerics dominate contemporary Iran, its politics and economy and have a vested interest in the preservation of the regime. GSN has examined their connections and relationships across key areas of Iranian politics and business.

The results of GSN's research, which includes an influence chart with links to profiles of senior figures around Rahbar (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shows how power is concentrated in the hands of senior clerics. It also shows the extent to which officials with an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC or Pasdaran) background occupy key positions across the Islamic Republic.

 

Iran cityscape and flag
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Can President Pezeshkian make a difference for Iran?

Issue 1189 - 14 July 2024

Given his position as the only moderate standing in the presidential election, Masoud Pezeshkian was not expected to win the race to become the Islamic Republic’s next president. Having jumped that hurdle, he now faces a daunting set of domestic and international policy challenges.

The influence chart above illustrates the connections and relationships across key areas of Iranian politics and business, centred around Rahbar (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.