REL-1300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Iran Hostage Crisis, Persian Art, Behrang
Document Summary
Iranian revolution and govt since 1979: ayatollah khomeni (iran is shi"a govt) Conflict with arab states, israel and the us. In middle east/between iran and the us/inside iran. Language of religion dominates discourse (between shi"a and sunni) within iran and israel is included in this. Us is ally of sunni arab states (this is what the shi"a sees) Religion as a way to understand the world: Top authority is supreme leader ayatollah khameni. Works closely w guardian council of jurists that rule w sharia law. Tightly knit, very conservative religious theocracy at the top of the. Iranian govt (subject to veto/approval by supreme leader) President elected by iranian citizens (must be approved by council of experts) Parliament (governing legislature elected by the people but also must be approved by council of experts) Constitution written in 1906 modeled by western constitutions. Very open to western influence but also but also brutal/violent when dealing with dissent within his country.
