The Islamic Republic of Iran

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran

2. Geography

3. Important details to begin • Theocratic government • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei • Guardian Council (formed of clerics) able to approve candidates for office as well as to overturn laws • Decisions can be returned to the Islamic Consultative Assembly (unicameral legislature – Majles) and appealed to the Council of Experts, a committee of 83 clerics • Current president is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a strong conservative supported by the clerics • Ahmadinejad “reelected” in June 2009

4. A little about the country • Persian culture, primary language is Farsi (not Arabic) • A significant majority of the populace is Shi’a Muslim • Distinct from Sunni Islam • Increasingly, the population is very young • Ranked as moderately developed according to the UNDP’s Human Development Index (99 out of just over 190 ranked countries). • Rated as “not free” by Freedom House

5. Making Democracy Work • Iran has regular elections for both the presidency and the Islamic Consultative Assembly • In the 1990s and early 2000s, reformist parties did quite well in elections, including the election of Ali Mohammad Khatami in 1997 (and again in 2001) as president • Khatami’s supporters won a significant majority of seats in the 2000 Islamic Consultative Assembly elections • Why is Iran not considered to be free? Discussion

6. Civil and political rights • The right to vote in meaningful elections for the candidates of your choice • Focus on the word meaningful • Freedom of the press • Freedom from fear of political violence

7. Economy in Iran • The economy is growing because of high oil and gas prices (about 10% of world’s known petroleum reserves are in Iran) • However, lack of foreign investment prevents efficient distribution of natural gas in spite of having the 2nd largest known reserve after Russia • The remainder of the economy is largely state controlled and highly inefficient (earthquake response as an example) • Still a major agrarian sector

8. Foreign Affairs • Iran / Iraq war 1980-88 • Support for Hezbollah and Hamas • Has always refused to recognize right of Israel to exist • 9/11 – Iran condemned the attacks and offered some support to the United States in Afghanistan • Has arrested numerous Al Qaeda members in the country • 2002 Axis of Evil Speech – 2009 “Islamic Republic of Iran”

9. Foreign Affairs cont. • Ahmadinejad has been much more up front about condemning Israel, including quoting a statement from Khomeini calling for “Israel to be wiped off the map.” • Interestingly, an Iranian spokesperson immediately clarified Ahmadinejad’s remarks to be consistent with Iran’s long-standing policy (which they were), but reiterated that Iran has absolutely no intention of attacking Israel • Increasing tensions between Iran and USA. Prisoners (Amir Hekmati, 3 American hikers) and threats to block the Straits of Hormuz. USA ramps up sanctions.

10. Nuclear issue continued • Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, committed to not acquiring nuclear weapons • Has consistently argued that the program is peaceful (permitted under the NPT) • For a while, was negotiating with EU, then Russia • International Atomic Energy Agency has declared Iran to be in non-compliance with its commitments under the NPT • Iran refining uranium

11. Where we stand • Iran pretty much had to have approved the Hezbollah attacks against Israel • Iran has managed to unite Russia, China, the EU, and the US on its nuclear program, though Russia and China are less willing to take strong action • Clerics have shown a willingness to subvert democracy when reforms threaten the Islamic character of the state • Questions about who’s really in charge, the clerics or the military.