The Supreme Leader

Introduction:
The Supreme leader of Iran officially called Supreme Leader Authority is the head of State
and self-appointed religious and political authority of Islamic Republic of Iran. The office
was established in 1979 pursuant to the concept of Guardianship of Islamic Jurist. The
supreme leader directly chooses the Defense Minister, Foreign Minister as well as
Minister of Science. The armed forces, judiciary, state television and other key
government organisations are also subject to the supreme leader. First Supreme Leader
was Ruhollah Khomeini. After his death Ali Khamenei took his position and still has.

Qualifications:
Constitution provides that the Leader must have scholastic qualifications, show justice
and piety, proper social and political insight, resourcefulness, courage, management
ability and adequate capability to lead the nation.

Removal:
The power of the Supreme Leader is not entirely unchecked. Constitution has mandated
an Assembly of Experts (86 Elected Members) with the power to appoint and dismiss the
Supreme Leader if he is deemed incapable of fulfilling his duties or in case anything
happens to him that prevents him from leading the nation.

Powers and Duties:

1. He defines the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in consultation with
the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council.
2. Supervises the proper execution of the general policies of the systems.
3. Resolve conflicts between the three branches of the government.
4. Issues decrees for national referendums.
5. Supreme commander of the Armed Forces.
6. Declare war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces.
7. He has authority to veto laws passed by the parliament.
8. Appoints, dismiss, and accept the resignation of:
i. The members of Expediency Discernment Council.
ii. The members of Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.
iii. Two personal representatives to the Supreme National Security Council.
 iv. Can delegate representatives to all branches of government.
v. Six members of the Guardian Council.
vi. Ministers of defense, intelligence, foreign affairs, and science.
vii. The head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic of
Iran.
viii. The chief of the joint staff.
ix. The chief commanders of the armed forces of the country.
9. Can dismiss and reinstate ministers.
10. Resolve the differences between the three wings of the armed forces.
11. Resolve the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods.
12. Signs the decree, formalizing the elections in Iran for the President of the
Republic by the people.
13. Dismiss the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interests of the
country.
14. Pardons or reduce the sentences of convicts, within the framework of Islamic
criteria, on a recommendation (to that effect) from the head of the Judiciary.
15. Confirms decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.
16. Asserts control over Special Clerical Court.
17. Appoint heads of the judiciary.