86 man assembly of clerics elected directly by the people; broad constitutional interpretation responsibility; must have a seminary degree

• Majiles
• People of the Book
• Assembly of Religious Experts
• Guardian Council

The term used by the shah to describe reforms in Iran between the end of World War II and the downfall of his regime in 1979

• White Revolution
• Black Revolution
• Iranian Revolution
• Fundamentalist Revolution

Title given to the ayatollah who sits atop all Iranian political institutions.

• President
• Supreme Leader
• Jurist's Guardian
• Pasdaran

Religious beliefs of a literal nature that often lead to right-wing political views.

• Faith
• Qanun
• Zoroastrianism
• Fundamentalism

An Iranian communist party

• Modern Thinkers Party of Islamic Iran
• Tudah Party
• Islamic Labor Party
• Worker-Communist Party

A government ruled by religion; religious leaders are the head of the nation-state; rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God's will and law.

• Theocracy
• Liberal Democracy
• Illiberal Democracy
• Authoritarian Goverment

Supreme leader of Iran, a position created in the constitution as the highest ranking political and religious authority of the nation.

• Qanun
• Head Cleric
• Ayatollah
• Supreme Leader

Persian term for guards, used to refer to the army of Revolutionary Guards formed during Iran's Islamic Revolution.

• Majiles
• Pasdaran
• Qanun
• Hojjat al-Islam

Muslim place of worship

• Temple
• Synagogue
• Cathedral
• Mosque

Leaders of the last dynasty of the shahs

• Safavids
• Pahlavis
• Qajars
• Abbasids