Legitimation of the power of the Supreme Leader (rahbar) of Iran according to the interpretation of the major Iranian political and religious figures

Abstract

The political regime in Iran is based on the unity of Islamic and republican principles. The religious elite exercise the monopoly power in the country, controlling the secular elective institutions. In this regard, the legitimation of the Supreme Leader, who has all the power in the country, is very important. US leaders and Iranian foreign opposition consistently criticize the Islamic regime, accusing it of massive repression of the opposition and of the inability to successfully rule the country. The Supreme Leader yet proves the necessity of his power by the statement that the regime created in Iran (being the best possible in the world, since it best corresponds to Islamic teachings) is a true democracy, unlike the regimes in the West, and can satisfy the essential needs of the Iranian people. He believes that if a secular regime is established in Iran under pressure from the West, the government will lose its Islamic essence, what will negatively affect the development of Iran and put it under the control of Western elites. Such a position of him is also supported by the people holding the highest secular and clerical offices in the country.