AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): An Indian Muslim news agency has published a report outlining what it describes as the robust structure of the Islamic Republic, highlighting the role of the Supreme Leader in shaping and consolidating Iran’s politico-religious system. The report, authored by Sayed Zubair Ahmad, examines the foundations of Iran’s resilience amid mounting regional tensions.
Amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil, much of the global discourse surrounding Iran tends to focus on its missile capabilities, military preparedness, and strategic alliances. However, the report argues that viewing Iran solely through the lens of military hardware overlooks a deeper and more enduring source of strength: the consensus between the country’s religious and political leadership, and the firm belief of many citizens in that leadership.
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the country has operated under a unique governance model combining republican institutions with clerical oversight. At the heart of this system lies the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih, which positions the Leader as both a religious authority and the highest political figure. Currently, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei holds this role, symbolizing the fusion of spiritual guidance and state authority.
According to the report, this alignment between religious and political leadership contributes to a distinctive cohesion in Iran’s decision-making, particularly under external pressure. Whether facing sanctions, diplomatic isolation, or military threats, the leadership structure enables what the article describes as a relatively centralized strategic outlook. Unlike countries where religious and political factions openly clash, Iran’s system is designed to minimize such divisions at the top.
Iran’s political culture, the report notes, remains influenced by the legacy of Ruhollah Khomeini (r.a.), the architect of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He emphasized resistance to foreign domination and the centrality of Islamic values in governance. Decades later, these themes continue to resonate in Iran’s official discourse, reinforcing a sense of historical mission among segments of the population who view the country’s regional role as both a political and religious responsibility.
Another pillar of Iran’s resilience, the article states, is a social base that believes in this governance model. Despite economic challenges and social debates, many Iranians—particularly in rural areas and among traditional communities—remain loyal to the system. This loyalty, it argues, is often intertwined with religious conviction, increasing the public’s willingness to endure hardship when leadership is perceived as morally and spiritually legitimate.
The report cites the period of intensified sanctions as an example, noting that while economic pressure has affected daily life, the narrative of “resistance” has functioned as a unifying theme. State institutions, religious networks, and social organizations have frequently framed external pressure not merely as an attack on the government but as an assault on national dignity and Islamic identity, fostering social cohesion during crises.
It also references the role of institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing it as more than a military force and as a guardian of the revolution’s principles. According to the article, this dual ideological and security identity reinforces the broader theme of unity between religion and state.
While some critics argue that such a system may limit political pluralism and dissent, the report notes that supporters view the structure as providing clarity of purpose and shielding the country from the political instability seen elsewhere in the region.
In a West Asian region often marked by governance crises and ideological fragmentation, the article presents Iran’s model as an exception. The alignment of religious authority with political command, it argues, has simplified responses to external threats and sustained strategic continuity over decades.
Concluding, the report asserts that Iran’s strength lies in more than its military arsenal. Rather, it is rooted in a governance structure born of consensus between spiritual legitimacy and political authority, as well as public belief in that consensus. Whether regarded as commendable or controversial, the article contends, its impact on Iran’s resilience is undeniable.
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