Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in West Asia, historically known as Persia, and is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations. It is a unitary Islamic theocracy established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. The political system is a mixed form of government, combining elements of theocracy with a presidential system, which was overwhelmingly approved by a referendum on April 1, 1979.
The core mechanism of its governance is the concept of velāyat-e faqīh (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), which places ultimate political and religious authority in the hands of the Supreme Leader (rahbar), who is the head of state. The Supreme Leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of clerics, and his responsibilities include determining the general policies of the Islamic Republic and serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as outlined in Article 110 of the Constitution. The President is the head of government, elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term, and is responsible for implementing the Constitution and directing economic policies.
A key institution is the Guardian Council, a 12-member body of clerics and jurists that vets all electoral candidates and must approve all legislation passed by the unicameral legislature, the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles). The political structure was changed by a 1989 amendment to the Constitution, which eliminated the position of premiership and delegated its power to the President.
Iran's geopolitical significance connects it to India through a strategic partnership, with diplomatic relations established on March 15, 1950. This relationship is centered on energy needs and regional connectivity, notably India's investment in the Chabahar Port to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The country is also a major focus of international relations due to its nuclear program and sanctions imposed by the US, UN, and EU.