Who is the real leader of Iran, their Cheif Ayotolah or their President?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the current Supreme Leader of Iran. The Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, which is also in charge of overseeing the Supreme Leader, and has the power to dismiss and replace him at any time. Although the members of the Assembly of Experts are elected by public vote, the Guardian Council (whose fuqaha members are appointed by the Supreme Leader) vets the candidates before the election. Many political analysts believe this creates a “closed loop of power” and many prominent Iranian reformists have voiced their opposition to the current election laws (including Abdollah Noori) but have not been able to bring any changes to the law. While the Supreme Leader is generally considered as the ultimate head of the Iranian political establishment, the President of Iran, who is elected by direct public vote, is the Executive President (Head of government, directly in charge of the executive branch).
