Explainer-How does Iran’s theocratic system of power work?

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed in strikes on Saturday, February 28, in an attack allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel, which, if confirmed, could destabilize the Islamic Republic's theocratic governance structure. The 84-year-old religious leader has held the position of Supreme Leader since 1989, serving as the highest authority in Iran's political system with ultimate control over the military, judiciary, and media. As the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Khamenei's death would create a significant power vacuum in a country where the Supreme Leader's authority is considered divine by many conservative supporters. Iran's theocratic system operates under a unique framework established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, combining elements of a modern republic with clerical rule. The system features a complex power structure where the Supreme Leader stands above all other institutions, including the elected President and Parliament. The Guardian Council, composed of clerics and jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader, vets all candidates for elected offices and has the authority to veto legislation deemed incompatible with Islamic principles. This dual structure has allowed the clerical establishment to maintain ultimate control while providing a facade of democratic participation. The Assembly of Experts, theoretically responsible for selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader, has historically been dominated by conservative clerics loyal to the existing leadership. The potential death of Khamenei would trigger a complex succession process that has not been thoroughly tested since the revolution. While the Assembly of Experts would technically be responsible for selecting a new Supreme Leader, the actual candidates would likely be limited to high-ranking clerics acceptable to the conservative establishment. Potential successors include figures like Ebrahim Raisi, the current President and former head of the judiciary, or other senior clerics from the seminaries of Qom. However, the selection process could be complicated by internal power struggles between different factions within the ruling elite. Internationally, the death of Khamenei could significantly impact Iran's nuclear negotiations, regional policies, and relations with Western powers, potentially leading to increased tensions in an already volatile Middle East. The United States and Israel have long viewed Khamenei as a key obstacle to their regional objectives, and his removal could either open new opportunities or trigger unpredictable consequences depending on who succeeds him.