Death of Ebrahim Raïssi: we explain how power works in Iran
The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, ordered an investigation on Monday, May 20, into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raïssi and his entourage, according to the Isna news agency. Since Sunday and the death of the Iranian president, it is the first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, who has led the country while awaiting a new presidential election which must be held within 50 days. Franceinfo explains to you how the exercise of power works in this country.
Since the 1979 revolution, most power in Iran has been concentrated in the hands of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. This is Ayatollah Khamenei, a conservative in office since 1989 and appointed for life by Mullahs, religious dignitaries. Ayatollah Khamenei has, under his authority, all of the country’s political, judicial, military and even media institutions. He is the one who determines Iran’s policy, he is also head of the armies.
For his part, the Iranian president exercises certain functions as head of state: he signs treaties and goes abroad to meet his counterparts. For example, he spoke on the phone a few months ago with Emmanuel Macron about the Israel-Hamas war. But in Iran, in reality, the president plays more of a role as prime minister, because he directs and coordinates government action.
Unlike the Supreme Leader, the Iranian president is elected by universal suffrage, for a four-year term, renewable once. The Iranian president therefore draws his legitimacy from the presidential election. However, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, has the power to remove him at any time. The Iranian parliament can also make this decision.
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