Iran

I

Communications

Postal, telegraph, and telephone services, as well as radio and television broadcasting, are administered by the Iranian government. Approximately 3.5 million telephones were in use in 1993 while, in 1998, radios numbered 17 million and television sets about 10 million. Satellite television receiver dishes were banned in 1994, although the ban has not been strictly enforced providing dishes are discreetly sited. Nearly all the nation’s daily newspapers and most of the weeklies are published in Tehran. Dailies with large circulations include Kayhan and Ettelaat, both published in Tehran. There are two English-language dailies, the Tehran Times and Kayhan International.

J

Labour

In 1997, the Iranian labour force totaled some 29.1 million people. The unemployment rate exceeded 30 per cent in 1994.

V

Government

Iran’s constitutional monarchy, founded in 1906, was ended in 1979. In the same year a new constitution, approved by referendum, established an Islamic republic in which the principles of Islam were to be the foundation for social, political, and economic relations. It gives supreme authority to the Spiritual Leader, or wali faqih, making the country a theocracy. This position was held by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini until his death in 1989. He was succeeded by Ayatollah Ali Khaman’i. The constitution was amended in 1988 to restrict the powers of the Council of Guardians. The council, which advises the wali faqih, also oversees the government and approves the laws it passes. The principle of uelyat-e-faqih, or the guardianship of the wise, is Ayatollah Khomeini’s legacy to Islamic government.

A

Executive and Legislature

The chief executive and head of state of Iran is a president, who is popularly elected to a four-year term. The president appoints a Cabinet. The post of prime minister was abolished in 1989 following a referendum, enhancing the authority of the presidency, which had hitherto been largely ceremonial.

Legislative authority in Iran is vested in a unicameral parliament called the Majlis. Its 270 members, popularly elected for terms of four years, can dismiss the country’s president by a no-confidence vote. There are two reserved seats for Armenian Christian members of parliament, and one each for members representing Assyrian Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. Laws enacted by the Majlis must be approved by the Council for the Protection of the Constitution. All citizens over age 16 are entitled to vote.

B

Judiciary

The highest regular tribunal in Iran is the Supreme Court, the president of which is appointed by the wali faqih. In addition, Islamic revolutionary courts were established in 1982, and codes following Islamic Shari’ah law introduced to provide for speedy punishment, including amputation and execution. Islamic punishments, such as limb amputation for theft and stoning for adultery, are rare but well reported.