What is the Assembly of Experts?

The Assembly of Experts (Persian: مجلس خبرگان رهبری, Majles-e Khobregān-e Rahbarī) is a key deliberative body within the political structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Its primary and most significant role is to appoint, supervise, and, if necessary, dismiss the Supreme Leader of Iran, who holds ultimate authority in the country. This makes the Assembly a crucial institution in maintaining the unique system of governance known as Velayat-e Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Jurist. The Assembly consists of 88 members, who are all highly qualified Islamic clerics known as Mujtahids. These members are directly elected by the public to serve eight-year terms, providing a direct, albeit filtered, link between the populace and the highest religious authority. However, a critical aspect of the election process is that all candidates must undergo a rigorous vetting procedure by the Guardian Council, which significantly influences who can run for office. The number of members has varied slightly over time, from 82 elected in 1982 to the current 88. The Assembly is required by law to meet at least twice every six months to fulfill its duties. Its existence and functions are enshrined in the Iranian Constitution, particularly in Articles 107, 108, and 111, which outline its responsibilities regarding the leadership of the country. This body represents a unique blend of democratic election and clerical oversight, central to Iran's political identity.

The Core Functions: Appointing and Overseeing the Supreme Leader

The most vital function of the Assembly of Experts, as outlined in Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, is the appointment, supervision, and potential dismissal of the Supreme Leader. Should the Supreme Leader become incapable of fulfilling constitutional duties, lose required qualifications, or if it's discovered they never possessed them, the Assembly has the authority to dismiss them. In the event of the Leader's death, resignation, or dismissal, the Assembly is tasked with swiftly appointing a new one. To choose a new Supreme Leader, the Assembly reviews and consults among qualified candidates, known as fuqaha' (Islamic jurists). The constitutional criteria for the Supreme Leader include strong Islamic scholarship, justice, piety, political and social insight, prudence, courage, administrative capability, and leadership skills. The Assembly seeks a jurist who is most well-versed in Islamic regulations, jurisprudence (fiqh), or political and social issues, or one who possesses general popularity or special prominence. If no single candidate stands out as superior, the Assembly elects one of its own members to the position. The Assembly also has internal commissions to manage its responsibilities. The 107/109 commission is responsible for compiling a list of eligible individuals who could potentially become the Supreme Leader. Meanwhile, the 111 commission monitors the current Leader to ensure they continue to meet all constitutional criteria. Members can report concerns to this commission, which can then order an emergency meeting of the full Assembly if deemed necessary. A significant constitutional amendment in 1989 removed the requirement for the Leader to be a marja' (a grand ayatollah who is a source of emulation), which paved the way for Ali Khamenei's succession despite his then-inferior religious credentials.

Challenges to its Independence and Authority

Despite its constitutional mandate, the actual power and independence of the Assembly of Experts have often been questioned. A major point of contention is that the Assembly has never dismissed or even publicly questioned a sitting Supreme Leader. Furthermore, all its meetings, notes, and reports are strictly confidential, with access limited even to its own members, except for the Supreme Leader himself. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to ascertain the extent of its supervisory role. The vetting process for candidates to the Assembly itself is a significant factor limiting its independence. All prospective members must be approved by the Guardian Council, half of whose members are directly appointed by the Supreme Leader. This system allows the Supreme Leader to indirectly influence who can even run for a seat in the Assembly, effectively limiting voter choice and often excluding reformist or opposition candidates. For instance, in 2016, only 166 out of 801 applicants were approved to run for the Assembly. Historically, the influence of the Supreme Leader on the Assembly has been evident from its very inception. During the 1979 elections for the first Assembly of Experts, Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, openly signaled which candidates to support, resulting in a body where 68% of the elected representatives were clerics. There have also been instances where the Supreme Leader has publicly criticized Assembly members, leading to their arrest or disqualification from future elections, further demonstrating the power dynamics at play.

Why the Assembly of Experts Matters

The Assembly of Experts is a cornerstone of Iran's unique political and religious system. It is the only body constitutionally empowered to select and oversee the Supreme Leader, making it central to the continuity and legitimacy of the Velayat-e Faqih. Its existence ensures that the leadership of the country remains rooted in religious scholarship and is, at least theoretically, accountable to a body of peers. While its independence is often debated due to the vetting process and the Supreme Leader's influence, the Assembly still holds significant symbolic importance. It represents a crucial link between the Iranian people, who directly elect its members, and the ultimate religious authority. Any future transition of the Supreme Leadership will depend entirely on the Assembly, making its composition and decisions profoundly impactful on Iran's domestic and international trajectory. It reflects the ongoing balance of power and the intricate interplay between religious authority and political governance in the Islamic Republic.