Velayat-e Faqih

Velayat-e Faqih, or "Guardianship of the Jurist," is a foundational principle of the Islamic Republic of Iran's political system. It posits that during the absence of the Twelfth Imam, a qualified Islamic jurist (Faqih) should hold ultimate political and religious authority to guide society according to Islamic law. This concept grants supreme power to Iran's Supreme Leader, who acts as the guardian of the revolution and the Islamic state.