Iran’s ruling structure explained

Although the supreme leader assumes the majority of power, Iran’s regime consists of a network of governing bodies.

By: Eric Lob, Florida International University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 12, 2026

Words: 1,610

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

By Eric Lob, Florida International University

Iran’s new ruler is already a marked man.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s supreme leader, is an unacceptable choice and threatened to assassinate him if he does not agree to U.S. demands.

Although the supreme leader possesses disproportionate power, he is not the single authority. Instead, he is one of several positions and …

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