Differences between President Of Iran and Supreme Leader Of Iran
President Of Iran vs. Supreme Leader Of Iran[edit]
In the political structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran, two positions hold significant authority: the President and the Supreme Leader.[1][2] While the President is the head of government, the Supreme Leader is the head of state and holds the highest political and religious authority.[3][4] The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts and serves for life.[4] This fundamental difference in selection and tenure underpins the distinct roles and powers of the two offices.
The Supreme Leader has ultimate authority over all state matters.[5] According to the constitution, the Supreme Leader outlines the general policies of the Islamic Republic, supervises the three branches of government, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This includes control over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as intelligence and security operations.[5] The Supreme Leader also holds significant influence over the judiciary by appointing its head, and over the legislative process by appointing six of the twelve members of the Guardian Council.[3] This council vets candidates for elected offices and can veto legislation passed by the parliament.
The President, as the second-highest official, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government and implementing the constitution. The President's duties include managing the executive branch, heading the cabinet of ministers, and overseeing the country's budget and economic policies. While the President heads the Supreme National Security Council, the Supreme Leader ultimately dictates foreign and defense policies. Furthermore, the Supreme Leader directly appoints key cabinet members, including the ministers of defense, intelligence, and foreign affairs.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | President of Iran | Supreme Leader of Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Head of Government[4] | Head of State[3][4] |
| Selection Process | Elected by direct popular vote | Appointed by the Assembly of Experts[5] |
| Term Length | Four years, limited to two consecutive terms | Life tenure[4] |
| Commander-in-Chief | Deputy commander-in-chief of the regular army | Commander-in-chief of all armed forces, including the IRGC |
| Foreign Policy | Implements foreign policy, but the Supreme Leader has final say | Sets the overall direction of foreign policy |
| Judiciary | No direct appointment power | Appoints the head of the judiciary[3] |
| Guardian Council | No direct appointment power | Appoints six of the twelve members[3] |
| Veto Power | None | Can veto legislation through the Guardian Council |
The relationship between the two offices is one of subordination, with the President functioning within the overarching framework and direction set by the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader has the constitutional authority to dismiss the President. This structure establishes the Supreme Leader as the ultimate decision-maker in Iran's political system, while the President manages the executive functions of the government in accordance with the Supreme Leader's guidance.
References[edit]
- ↑ "wikipedia.org". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ "mfa.gov.ir". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "britannica.com". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "justice.gov". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
