Source:

Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Official Site: The cabinet ("Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, official site: The cabinet") [ID 8299]

Document(s): Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, official site: The cabinet

Source:

Electionworld.org: Elections around the world - Iran ("Electionworld.org: Elections around the world - Iran") [ID 8300]

"Elections in Iran
Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Executive:
President: Seyyed Mohammad Khatami (1997/2001)
Rahbar (Leader of the Islamic Republic and of the Nation): Seyyed Ali Khamenei (1989)
The president is elected for a four year term by the people. The government is formed by reformists. Most important party of the reformers' coaltion is the Iran Islamic Participation Front. Islamic conservatives remain influential.

President: 8 june 2001 (67 %) %

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seyyed Mohammad Khatami (reformist) 78.3
Ahmad Tavakoli (conservative) 15.9
Ali Shamkhani (conservative) 2.7
Abdolah Jasbi (conservative) 0.9
Mahmud Kashani 0.9
Hassan Ghafuri Fard (conservative) 0.5
Mansur Razavi (conservative) 0.4
Shahabeddin Sadr (conservative) 0.2
Ali Fallahian (conservative) 0.2
Mostafi Hashemi Taba (reformist) 0.1

Source: Iranmania"

Document(s): Electionworld.org: Elections around the world - Iran

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The political system and institutional structure of Iran ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21187]

"The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, heads a tricameral structure of government (legislative, executive, and judicial branches). The Supreme Leader is not directly elected, but chosen by a group of 86 Islamic scholars (the Assembly of Experts), who are directly elected.

All acts of the Majlis (parliament) must be reviewed for strict conformity with Islamic law and the Constitution by the Council of Guardians, which is composed of six clerics, appointed by the Supreme Leader and six Muslim jurists (legal scholars), nominated by the head of the judiciary and approved by the Majlis.

The Council of Guardians also screens presidential and Majlis candidates for eligibility. The Supreme Leader is also advised by the Expediency Council, which has the authority to mediate disputes between"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Religious minorities are not allowed to be elected to a representative body or to hold senior government or military positions, with the exception that 5 seats in the Majlis (parliament) seats in the Majlis are reserved for religious minorities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21189]

"By law, religious minorities are not allowed to be elected to a representative body or to hold senior government or military positions, with the exception that 5 of a total 290 seats in the Majlis are reserved for religious minorities.

Three of these seats are reserved for members of Christian religious groups, including two seats for the country's Armenian Christians, and one for Assyrian Christians. There is also one seat to represent Jewish Iranians, and one to represent Iranian Zoroastrians.

While Sunnis do not have reserved seats in the Majlis, they are allowed to serve in the body. Sunni Majlis deputies tend to be elected from among the larger Sunni communities. Members of religious minorities are allowed to vote; however, all minority religious groups, including Sunni Muslims, are barred from being elected president."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Tricameral Government Structure ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17545]

"The tricameral government structure is ruled over by a supreme religious jurisconsult, or "supreme leader." The supreme leader, chosen by a group of eighty-three Islamic scholars who are elected to the Assembly of Experts, oversees the country's decision-making process. All acts of the majlis (legislative body or parliament) must be reviewed for strict conformity with Islamic law and the constitution by the Council of Guardians, which is composed of six clerics appointed by the supreme leader and six Muslim jurists (legal scholars), nominated by the head of the judiciary and approved by the majlis. The council does not have voting rights. The supreme leader is also advised by the Expediency Council, which has the authority to mediate disputes between Parliament and the Council of Guardians. The Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance (Ershad) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) monitor religious activity closely."

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

New security measures by government include appointment of provincial governors-general with security background and crackdown on social malefactors ("Iran: New Security Measures Not Welcomed By All") [#36835], [ID 8289]

Document(s): Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Hardline legislators promote bill reducing parliamentary oversight of Intelligence and Security Ministry; ministry personnel was involved in serial murders of dissidents ("Iran: Who Watches The Watchers?") [#36457], [ID 8290]

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2005 - Source: International Crisis Group

Report on implications of Ahmadinejad's victory in presidential elections ("Iran: What Does Ahmadi-Nejad's Victory Mean?; Middle East Briefing No. 18") [#34813], [ID 8291]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Khatami's achievements for Iranian women ("Iran: Women Weigh Khatami's Legacy On Gender Issues") [#34806], [ID 8292]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Ahmadinejad formally installed as president today, succeeding pro-reform president Khatami ("Iran: Ahmadinejad Takes Reins As Khatami’s Term Ends") [#34812], [ID 8293]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Political rights & civil liberties ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317], [ID 8294]

"[...]Iranians cannot change their government democratically. The most powerful figure in the Iranian government is the Supreme Leader (Vali-e-Faghih), currently Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei; he is chosen for life by the Assembly of Experts, a clerics-only body whose members are elected to eight-year terms by popular vote from a government- screened list of candidates. The Supreme Leader is commander in chief of the armed forces and appoints the leaders of the judiciary, the heads of state broadcast media, the commander of the IRGC, the Expediency Council, and half the members of the Council of Guardians. Although the president and parliament are responsible for designating cabinet ministers, the Supreme Leader exercises de facto control over appointments to the ministries of Defense, the Interior, and Intelligence. All candidates for election to the presidency and 290-seat unicameral parliament are vetted for strict allegiance to the ruling theocracy and adherence to Islamic principles by the 12-person Council of Guardians, a body of 6 clergymen appointed by the Supreme Leader and 6 laymen selected by the head of the judiciary chief (the latter are nominally subject to parliamentary approval). The Council of Guardians also has the power to reject legislation approved by parliament (disputes between the two are arbitrated by the Expediency Council, another non-elected conservative- dominated body, currently headed by former president Ali Akbar Rafsanjani). Corruption is pervasive. The hard-line clerical establishment has grown immensely wealthy through its control of tax-exempt foundations (bonyads) that monopolize many sectors of the economy, such as cement and sugar production. Iran was ranked 87 out of 146 countries surveyed in Transparency International’s 2004 Corruption Perceptions Index.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

24.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Discussion over Ahmadinejad's future cabinet (permissibility of a cabinet member continuing to serve on municipal council; intra-factional differences among hardliners) ("Iran: A Cabinet Position Not Enough For Some") [#34761], [ID 8295]

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

Parliamentary elections in 2004 ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980], [ID 8296]

"[...]Parliamentary Elections - February 2004.
4.27 Iranians went to the polls on 20 February 2004 to elect a new parliament. Like previous elections, the battle was expected to be an ideological one between the elected reformists and the largely unelected hardliners who dominate the important institutions of the state. The reformists who form a majority in the parliament are led by President Mohammad Khatami, the hardliners control the judiciary, armed forces and constitutional oversight bodies such as the Council of Guardians. The hardliners, or conservatives, are led by Ayatollah Khamenei, who is the ultimate decision-maker and Supreme Leader. [21cf]
4.28 As part of the process leading up to the election Iran's Guardian Council failed to approve hundreds of reformist candidates in the parliamentary elections and by doing so provoked a political crisis. The move was generally seen as part of the power struggle in Iran between the conservatives who want to maintain a strict Islamic approach and reformers, backed by the elected government, who want greater liberalisation. While reformers control the parliament (Majlis), under Iran's constitution, a series of appointed supervisory bodies have the ultimate say on questions of legislation and also have sanction on electoral nominations. These bodies are in the hands of the conservatives and the conservatives felt that this was a good moment to try to prevent further domination of the parliament by reformers after the elections. [21cg]
4.29 Not surprisingly Iran's religious conservatives swept to victory in the parliamentary poll, [24c] conservatives made sweeping gains in the first round of the general election winning 156 of the assembly's 290 seats with nearly 60 to be decided in a second round of voting (in May 2004). [21ch] According to An International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) report of July 2004, "The Conservatives won the legislative election on 20 February, victory which was confirmed at the second ballot which took place on 8 May 2004. The Conservatives now have 195 seats on 290 in the Parliament (Majlis). Reformists, who held 190 seats in the outgoing assembly, won around 40.The new parliament is effective since 27 May 2004". [56c](pg5) [...]
President Khatami remains President until 2005 when presidential elections take place. [1a](pg431)
4.30 According to the Center for Contemporary Conflict (CCC) in an article of June 2004, "The parliamentary election held on February 20, 2004 in Iran was a key turning point in that country's political evolution. The election marked the conclusive end of the campaign for political and social reform initiated by Mohammad Khatami after he was elected president in a landslide vote in May 1997. However, while it is clear that Khatami's efforts have failed, it is not clear what will come next. Although Khatami's Conservative opponents decisively won the election, they have little popular support and it remains uncertain whether they can govern effectively. Moreover, the radical wing of Khatami's Reformist movement remains intact and could present a strong challenge to the Conservatives in the future. Therefore, while the February election essentially marked the end of the Khatami era, Iran's future remains very uncertain". [72a] And according to the LOC/FRD report of September 2004, "Conservatives regained control of the parliament in the February 2004 elections. There has been relative consensus between the two factions on issues of foreign policy, even in the post-1992 period when internal politics have been increasingly contentious". [79a](pg3) [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525], [ID 8297]

"The Islamic Republic of Iran [note 1] is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which Shi'a Muslim clergy dominate the key power structures. Article Four of the Constitution states that "All laws and regulations…shall be based on Islamic principles." Government legitimacy is based on the twin pillars of popular sovereignty (Article Six) and the rule of the Supreme Jurisconsulate (Article Five). The unelected Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, dominates a tricameral division of power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Khamene'i directly controls the armed forces and exercises indirect control over the internal security forces, the judiciary, and other key institutions. The executive branch was headed by President Mohammad Khatami, who won a second 4-year term in June 2001, with 77 percent of the popular vote in a multiparty election. The legislative branch featured a popularly elected 290-seat Islamic Consultative Assembly, Majlis, which develops and passes legislation, and an unelected 12-member Council of Guardians, which reviews all legislation passed by the Majlis for adherence to Islamic and constitutional principles and also has the duty of screening Majlis candidates for eligibility. Conservative candidates won a majority of seats in the February Seventh Majlis election that was widely perceived as neither free nor fair, due to the Council of Guardians' exclusion of thousands of qualified candidates. The 34-member Expediency Council is empowered to resolve legislative impasses between the Council of Guardians and the Majlis. The Constitution provides that "the judiciary is an independent power"; however, the judicial branch is widely perceived as both corrupt and heavily biased towards conservative elements within the society and against reformist forces. [...]

The right of citizens to change their government is restricted significantly. The Supreme Leader, the recognized Head of State, is elected by the Assembly of Experts and can only be removed by a vote of this same Assembly. The Assembly is restricted to clerics, who serve an 8-year term and are chosen by popular vote from a list approved by the Government. There is no separation of state and religion, and clerical influence pervades the Government, especially in appointed, rather than elected, positions. The Government effectively controlled the selection of candidates for elections. The Council of Guardians, which reviews all laws for consistency with Islamic law and the Constitution, also screens candidates for election for ideological, political, and religious suitability. It accepts only candidates who support a theocratic state; clerics who disagree with government policies or with a conservative view of the Islamic state also have been disqualified. Regularly scheduled elections are held for the Presidency, the Majlis, and the Assembly of Experts.

Elections that were widely perceived as neither free nor fair were held for the 290-seat Majlis in February. The Council of Guardians, taking an expansive interpretation of its responsibility to screen candidates, barred over a third of the over 8,000 prospective candidates, mostly reformists, to include over 85 sitting Majlis members seeking re-election. Reasons cited included not showing "demonstrated obedience" to the current system of government. Reformers were reduced to a small minority of the Majlis.

Subsequently, there has been tension between the new Majlis and President Khatami's Government. On October 4, the Vice President for Majlis and Legal Affairs resigned, stating that he was unable to facilitate good relations between the Government and the Majlis. [...]

Women held 12 out of 290 Majlis seats. There were no female cabinet members, although several held high-level positions, such as Vice-President. A woman served as Presidential Advisor for Women's Affairs, and another was head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Majlis seats were reserved for elected Christian (three), Jewish (one) and Zoroastrian (one) deputies. Religious minorities were barred from being elected to any other seats on a representative body and from holding senior government or military positions. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Corruption & no public access to government information ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525], [ID 8298]

"[...] There was widespread public perception of extensive corruption in all three branches of government, to include the judiciary (where many lawyers have said, "a judge's verdict is sold by the kilo"). This perception augmented by anecdotal information includes extensive corruption in the "bonyards" (foundations). In October, the NGO Transparency International released its annual Corruption Perception Index, noted that the country had an extremely low score (2.9 on a 10 point scale) and commented that, "corruption robs countries of their potential." In September 2003, the CEO and other top executives of the Norwegian oil company "Statoil" were dismissed after revelations of bribes paid an Iranian consulting company with direct links to the son of former President and current Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani.

The country apparently has no laws providing for public access to government information. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

USDOS: The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, directly controls the armed forces and exercises indirect control over internal security forces, judiciary, and other key institutions/The executive branch was headed by President Mohammad Khatami ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19747], [ID 8301]

"The Islamic Republic of Iran [note 1] is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which Shi'a Muslim clergy dominate the key power structures. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, dominates a tri-cameral division of power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Khamene'i directly controls the armed forces and exercises indirect control over the internal security forces, the judiciary, and other key institutions. The executive branch was headed by President Mohammad Khatami, who won a second 4-year term in June 2001, with 77 percent of the popular vote in a multiparty election. [...]

Regularly scheduled elections are held for the Presidency, the Majlis, and the Assembly of Experts. Mohammad Khatami, a former Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance who was impeached in 1992 by the Majlis for "liberalism" and "negligence," was elected President in 1997 and reelected in 2001 with 77 percent of the vote. The UNSR reported that the Guardian Council significantly limited the number of candidates permitted to run in elections and noted that the Interior Minister denounced the "unprincipled disqualification" of candidates.

Elections were held in the fall of 1998 for the 86-member Assembly of Experts. The Council of Guardians disqualified numerous candidates, which led to criticism from many observers that the Government improperly predetermined the election results."

Document(s): Open document

05.08.2002 - Source: International Crisis Group

ICG: The president is the second most powerful official in Iran ("Iran: The Struggle for the Revolution´s Soul") [#8214], [ID 8303]

"The presidency has also evolved considerably since 1979. Initially, it was a relatively ceremonial position. The 1979 constitution divided leadership of the executive branch between the president and a prime minister. The president served as the nominal leader of the executive branch, was popularly elected for a term of four years and could run for reelection only once. Actual executive power was largely with the prime minister. The Assembly of Experts deliberately divided responsibilities so that a strong and popularly elected president would not challenge the authority of the Supreme Leader. However, friction between president and prime minister appeared unavoidable, particularly when they came from competing factions, as with Presidents Abolhasan Bani-Sadr (1980–81) and Ali Khamenei (1981–89).
When the constitution was revised in 1989, the office of Prime Minister was abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the president. As head of government, the president now appoints and dismisses ministers (who must be confirmed by parliament) and controls the Planning and Budget Organisation, which gives him great sway over economic policy. In addition, the president appoints the head of the Central Bank and chairs the National Security Council, an influential committee with twelve permanent members that coordinates governmental activities related to defence, the intelligence services and foreign policy. The president and his ministers can be removed only through a two-thirds majority no-confidence vote in parliament. The parliament can also declare the president “politically incompetent” and inform the Supreme Leader, so that he may remove him in accordance with Article 110 of the constitution.
The president is the second most powerful official in Iran, but his responsibilities focus primarily on the social, cultural and economic fronts, not foreign policy – despite his chairmanship of the National Security Council. His power remains circumscribed, and even though the president is elected by the
people, the Supreme Leader must approve his assumption of duties. In addition, the entire executive branch is subordinate to religious authorities, and only the Supreme Leader is deemed fully competent in all general political issues.
Lastly, the president does not control the armed forces."

Document(s): Open document
00851irn.pdf

04.03.2002 - Source: US Department of State

US State Department: Mohammad Khatami was elected to a second 4-year term as President in June 2002 ("Annual report 2001") [#5823], [ID 8302]

"The Government is dominated by Shi'a Muslim clergy. The Head of State, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, is the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and has direct control over the armed forces, the internal security forces, and the judiciary. Mohammad Khatami was elected to a second 4-year term as President in a popular vote in June, with 77 percent of the vote. A popularly elected 290-seat unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly, or Majles, develops and passes legislation. Reformers and moderates won a landslide victory in the February 2000 Majles election, and constitute a majority of that body; however, the Council of Guardians and other elements within the Government blocked much of the early reform legislation passed by the Majles. A Council of Guardians reviews all legislation passed by the Majles for adherence to Islamic and constitutional principles. The Council consists of six clerical members, who are appointed by the Supreme Leader, and six lay jurists, who are appointed by the head of the judiciary and approved by the Majles. The Constitution provides the Council of Guardians the power to screen and disqualify candidates for elective offices based on an ill-defined set of requirements, including candidates' ideological beliefs. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Council of Guardians rejected the candidacy of 145 out of the 356 candidates who filed to run for 17 seats in the special Majles election held concurrently with the Presidential election in June. This constituted a far higher percentage than were rejected in the February 2000 Majles elections. The judiciary is subject to government and religious influence."

Document(s): Open document

2002 - Source:

University of Pittsburg/Law School: The President ("University of Pittsburg/Law School: The President") [ID 8304]

"The President

The President shall be elected by the direct vote of the people for a four year term of office. His consecutive re-election shall be allowed only for one term (Article 114).

Next to the Leader, the President is the highest official State authority. The President is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and, as the Chief Executive, for the exercise of the Executive Powers. Those matters that directly relate to the Leader are not within the President's power (Article 113).

The Judiciary and the Legislature supervise the President. The Leader can dismiss the President after a Supreme Court verdict or following an Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) vote against the President (Article 110).

In order to proceed to a more democratic society and to reform the political system of Iran, the authority of the President must gradually increase. The President is elected by the direct vote of the people and, moreover, he must answer to the direct representatives of the people, i.e. the Majlis."

Document(s): University of Pittsburg/Law School: The President

2001 - Source:

NetIran: The Executive ("2001 - NetIran: The Executive") [ID 8305]

"PRESIDENT

The second highest authority next to the leader, is the president. The constitution of 1979 saw the president as the head of the executive but at the same time as the coordinator of the three branches of the state. This placed him above all three of them.

The President is directly elected by people for a term of four years and his re-election for a successive term is permitted only once. According to the Constitution, he must possess the following qualifications: Iranian orgin and nationality, administrative and managerial skills, piety and trustworthiness, and a belief in the Islamic Republic's fundamental principles and the official religion of the country.

The President signs and supervises the implementation of laws passed by the Majles, signs treaties and other international agreements ratified by the Majles, receives the credentials of foreign ambassadors, endorses those of Iranian ambassadors sent abroad, and presides over the National Security Council. His responsibilities also include the administration of the country's budget and development plans ratified by the Majles.

Either the President or the First Vice President presides over the meetings of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet consists of the Ministers for


Crusade of Agriculture
Commerce,
Cooprative
Culture and Higher Education,
Defense,
Economy and Finance,
Education,
Energy,
Foreign Affairs,
Health and Medical Education,
Housing and Urban Development,
Industries and Mines,
Information (Inteligance),
Interior,
Islamic Guidance and Culture,
justice,
Labor and Social Affairs,
Oil,
Posts Telephones & Telegraphs,
Roads and Transport.
The President also has seven aids in charge of Planning and Budget Organization, the Organization of Administrative and Employment Affairs, Atomic Energy Organization, Civil Service and Social Security, the Environmental Affairs Organization, the Executive Affairs Organizations, and the Physical Training Organization.

The prime minister was the actual head of the executive. According to the constitution of 1979 he should be nominated by the president and had to win a vote of confidence from the Majlis. Ministers were nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president. Upon approval by the latter, ministers appeared before the Majlis to receive a vote of confidence.

Ministers were directly accountable to the Majlis. The prime minister was responsible for all the actions taken by his ministers, and each individual minister was responsible for all measures and decisions taken by the cabinet. Members of parliament might table motions of no confidence in the cabinet as a whole or in individual ministers (Articles 133-137 of the constitution).

The most important modification of the constitutional amendment in regard of the executive is the abolition of the office of prime minister. The president has been given all the powers that the prime minister had under the constitution. The president will name ministers, introduce them to the Majlis to obtain votes of confidence, and ask for a vote of confidence for his government from the Majlis on controversial issues. Unlike the prime minister, however, he does not have to receive a vote of confidence before forming a government, because he will be elected by the direct vote of the people. The president, however, faces the same checks as the prime minister.

In addition to ministers, the president may also be asked questions or face a vote of non-confidence. One quarter of all members of Majlis may table a question to the president, who will have to answer it in the house. Any one member may put questions to any minister of his responsibilities. Motion of non-confidence in ministers must be signed by 10 members of Majlis. Ministers who fail to win a vote of confidence will be dismissed and may not be members of the government immediately formed afterwards. To enable a motion of non-confidence in the president, endorsement of one-third of members is required. A majority of two-thirds is needed to dismiss the president with a vote of non-confidence.

The president is no longer required to co-ordinate the Relations of the three powers of the state as the constitution earlier required. That is a task of the leader. He will have several deputies, and His vice-president will assume his tasks in his absence, upon his death or resignation, or illness for more than two months, or in any other case. The leader's consent is essential for this. If necessary, the vice president is required to arrange for a presidential election within 50 days of assuming office.

The plan and budget ministry has been abolished as a ministry, and the responsibility for it as well as the Civil Employment and Administrative Affairs Organization has been entrusted to the president. The ministry had replaced the plan and budget Organization, which had been under the direct control of the prime minister in 1985. This came about because members of Majlis were not allowed to put questions to the prime minister. But they could demand answers from the plan and budget minister.

INSTITUTIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE PRESIDENT

The President's Office consists of the Secretariat, advisors and deputies to the president. After the revolution, documents and files of the former regime's disbanded National Security and Intelligence Organization, which was affiliated to the Prime Minister's Office were taken over. A special department was assigned to take charge of those files. That department is still functioning under the president.


Plan and Budget Organization (Sazeman-e Barnameh va Budgeh) which is in charge of:
Statistics Center of Iran
National Cartography Center
Computer Center
Iranian Data Processing Company
Remote Assessment Center (satellites application project)
Civil Employment and Administrative Affairs Organization (Sazeman-e Moor Estekhdami va Edari Keshvar) is assigned to coordinate government organizations, to frame rules and regulations for employment of civil servants and to draw up organizational charts for newly established organizations.
State Management Training Center of Iran (Sazeman-e Amoozesh Modiriat Sanati Iran)
National Documents Organization of Iran (Sazeman-e Assnad-e Melli Iran) files all government documents.
Civil Retirement Organization (Sazeman-e Bazneshastegi Keshvari)
Physical Education Organization (Sazeman-e Tarbiat Badani)
Environmental Protection Organization (Sazeman-e Hefz-e Mohit-e Zist)
Atomic Energy Organization (Sazeman-e Energy Atomi)
MINISTRIES AND THEIR AFFILIATES

- Agriculture (Vezarat-e Keshavarzi): A large number of research and other centers operate under the authority of this ministry. The most important of them are:


National Forests and Pastures Organization
Plants Conservation Organization
Seeds and Saplings Improvement and Provision Research Institute
Pests and Phytopathology Research Institute
Soil and Water Research Institute
Iranian Milk Industries Company
Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane Agro-Industry Company
National Meat Company
Silk Worm Breeding Promotion and Research Company.
Construction Crusade (Jahad-e Sazandegi) was established initially as a revolutionary institution to coordinate popular measures for reconstruction of rural areas, but was transformed into a ministry in 1983. It is concerned with rural development, solving problems of nomadic groups, helping with livestock breeding, solving problems of farmers and rural people and promoting rural industries, etc.
Affiliates:

Fisheries Company (Shilat).
- Commerce (Vezarat-e Bazargani) has the following affiliates:

Central Cooperative Organization
Exports Promotion Center
Tea Organization
Cereals Organization
Sugar Organization
Organization for Protection of Consumers and Producers (OPCP)
Trading Services Promotion Organization
The Iranian State Trading Company
The Warehousing & Warehouse Construction Company
Iranian Insurance Company
Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
- Culture and Higher Education (Vezarat Farhang va Amoozesh Aali) supervises the following research centers:

Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran
Scientific and Cultural Publications Center
Cultural Studies and Research Institute
Materials and Power Application and Properties Research Center
- Culture and Islamic Guidance (Vezarat Farhang va Ershad-e Islami)has the following affiliates:

Hajj, Endowments and Charity Affairs Organization
Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
Tourism Centers Organization.
- Defense (Vezarat-e Defa) runs:

Etka Factories Company, which supplies goods to the army personnel
Fakhr-e Iran Knitting and Weaving Company
Machine Made Bread Factories Company
Defense Industry Organization, which manufactures armaments
Electronic Industries Company, with a sub-affiliate company named Easiran Company
Iranian Aircraft Industries Company
Iranian Helicopter Support and Renovation Company
Niroo Battery Manufacturing Company.
- Economic Affairs and Finance (Vezarat Omoor Eqtessadi va Daraie) has several affiliates:

Iranian Customs Administration
Investment and Economic and Technological Aid Organization of Iran
The Financial Organization for Expansion of Proprietorship of Production Units
The Electronic Calculators Services Corporation
Auditing Company
Iranian Central Insurance Agency
National Iranian Public and Customs Warehouses Company
Banks including the Central Bank of Iran, Ostan Banks, Bank Tejarat, Bank Sepah, Bank Saderat, Bank of Industry and Mine, Bank of Agriculture, Bank Melli, Housing Bank, Bank Mellat.
- Education (Vezarat-e Ammoozesh va Parvaresh) supervises:

The Center for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults
The Guardians and Instructors Society
The Educational Planning and Research Organization
The National Organization for Renovation and Equipping Schools.
- Energy (Vezarat-e Niroo) has several affiliates:

Water Resources Research Institute
Water Engineering Services Company (Mohab)
Dam Construction & Irrigation Installations Company (Sabir)
Power Engineering Services Company (Mashanir)
National Power Generation & Transmission Company (Tavanir)
Iranian Electrical Power Equipment Manufacturing & Provision Company (Satkab)
Regional Water Boards
Regional Electricity Boards.
- Foreign Affairs (Vezarat-e Omoor Kharejeh):

International Relations College, established in 1983, trains diplomats for the ministry
The Institute for Political and International Studies is the ministry's think-tank.
- Health and Medical Education (Vezarat-e Behdasht, Darman va Amoozesh Pezeshki) has the following affiliates:

Pasteur Institute as a research center
Institute of Nutrition Sciences and Food Industry
Blood Transfusion Organization
Anti-Leprosy Organization
Social Welfare Organization
The National Pharmaceutical Company
Social Security Organization
Workers' Welfare Bank
Red Crescent Society
Regional health offices in Tehran and other cities and towns.
Housing and Urban Development (Vezarat-e Maskan va Shahr Sazi) has the following affiliates:
Housing Organization
Urban Lands Organization
Iranian Housing Construction Factories Company
Housing and Building Research Center.
- Industry (Vezarat-e Sanaye) exerts control over industries though the following bodies:

National Iranian Industries Organization (NIIO)
Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran
The Iranian Tobacco Monopoly, and a few others.
Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IDRO)
- Intelligence (Vezarat-e Ettela'at) was established in 1983 and was put in charge of national security, counter-intelligence and handing of outlawed political groups. It does not have any affiliates.

- Interior (Vezarat-e Keshvar) is in charge of the following organizations:

State Organization for Personal Status Registration
Law Enforcement (Police)
- Islamic Revolution Guards (Vezarat-e Sepah Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Islamic) is in charge of the paramilitary national Mobilization of the Oppressed (Baseej-e Mostazafan) Organization.

- Justice (Vezarat Dadgostari) supervises:

State Notarial Department for Deeds and Real Estate
Official Gazette Company
Forensic Medicine Department
Institute of Experts of Justice Administration.
- Labour and Social Affairs (Vezarat Kar va Omoor Ejetma'i) oversees:

Professional and Technical Training Organization
Labour and Social Security Institute
Foundation for the Imposed War Refugees.
- Mines and Metals (Vezarat-e Ma'adan va Felezzat) is in charge of:

National Geology Organization
National Iranian Mines and Metal Smelting Company
National Iranian Steel Company
National Iranian Mining Explorations Company
National Iranian Copper Industries Company
National Iranian Lead and Zinc Company
- Oil (Vezarat-e Naft) has several affiliated companies:

National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)
National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC)
National Iranian Petrochemical Company (NIPC)
Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC)
National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC)
National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC)
Kala Company Ltd.
Ahvaz Pipe Mills.
- Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones (Vezarat-e Post, Telegraph va Telephone) runs:

Telecommunications Company of Iran
Posts Company
Telephones Company
- Roads & Transport (Vezarat-e Raah va Tarabari) has the following affiliates:

Railways of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ports and Shipping Organization
Civil Aviation Organization
Islamic Republic of Iran Airline (Iran Air)
National Aviation Services Company (Asseman)
National Meteorology Organization
Roads Safety Equipment Production Company
Road Construction & Maintenance Machinery & Equipment Procurement Company
Iranian Roads Development Organization
Soil Technical and Mechanical Laboratory
Irano-Russia Transportation Company."

Document(s): 2001 - NetIran: The Executive