The Current Leadership Structure

The year 2026 marks a historic turning point for the Islamic Republic:

• The Supreme Leader: Following the assassination of Ali Khamenei in 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei has assumed the position of Supreme Leader. This move signals a shift toward hereditary succession within the theocratic framework, a departure from the traditional selection process.

• Interim Leadership Council: During the immediate transition period in 2026, an Interim Leadership Council was established to supervise the three branches of state (Judiciary, Legislature, and Executive) to ensure regime stability.

The Power Vertical & Military Integration

The governance model relies on several key bodies that ensure ideological compliance:

• The Guardian Council: This 12-member body continues to vet all presidential and parliamentary candidates. By 2026, the vetting process has become even more stringent to prevent reformist elements from entering the government during the transition.

• Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC): The IRGC (Sepah) has moved from being a parallel military to a dominant administrative force. In June 2025/2026, leadership changes saw Mohammad Pakpour taking command of the IRGC, further integrating the military with state policy-making.

• Expediency Discernment Council: Led by Sadiq Amoli Larijani, this body serves as the ultimate arbiter between the Parliament and the Guardian Council, acting as a top-tier advisory board to Mojtaba Khamenei.

Key Branches of Government

1. Executive: The President serves as the head of government but remains subordinate to the Supreme Leader. In the 2026 context, the President functions primarily as an administrator of national planning and budget under the shadow of the Interim Leadership Council.

2. Legislature: The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) consists of 290 representatives. However, all laws passed must be ratified by the Guardian Council to ensure they do not contradict Islamic principles.

3. Judiciary: An independent power under the Supreme Leader, tasked with enforcing the Islamic Penal Code and "preventing the occurrence of crime," which often includes the suppression of political dissent.

The 2026 Geopolitical Context

The government remains a Unitary State with a "Mobilization Economy." Following Israeli strikes against nuclear and military facilities in mid-2025, the Iranian government has prioritized the General Staff of Armed Forces (currently led by Abdolrahim Mousavi) to coordinate national defense and internal security.