Iranian Constitution

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic or Iran which is in effect today abolished the constitution of 1906. The current Constitution is dated October 24, 1979 and has been enforced since December of that same year. There were significant amendments which were adopted by the Iranian Constitution on July 28, 1989.

The draft constitution that was published by the government in June 1979 was modeled after the 1958 constitution of the French Fifth Republic. Although the draft was altered later by an Assembly of Experts, the offices of the President and the Prime Minister were held for the executive branch of government, which reflected those positions in the French model.

The constitution begins with the preamble and includes fourteen chapters which contain one hundred and seventy seven articles. The preamble states that the constitution, along with input from the government, will witness the establishment of a universal government with holy attributes and will dissipate all others. It also states that the central point for theocracy shall be the Quran and Hadith.

As with the constitutions of other countries, the first chapter and first several articles contain general principal information such as the form of government, foundation principals, goals of the state and the offices of religious leaders.

Article 2 defines an Islamic Republic that is based on the belief that there exists only one God and that undrestanding God’s divine nature is needed in setting all laws. It further investigates the belief that God is responsible for all things and that all humans are responsible to Him, as well as stating that the government should advance Arts and Sciences and that oppression in any form is completely unacceptable.

The second chapter and articles fifteen through eighteen of the Iranian Constitution outlines the official language, script, calendar and the flag for Iran. It states that the official language of Iran is Persian, per article sixteen and Arabic must be taught from elementary school until after high school.

Chapter three and articles nineteen through forty-two deals with the rights of the Iranian people, their beliefs and their freedom of press issues.
The Iranian economy and financial affairs is dealt with in chapter four, while the national right of sovereignty is covered in chapter five.

Chapters six, seven, eight and nine deal with the legislative powers, the Presidency, foreign business and leadership duties and powers. Foreign policies, Judiciary laws, radio and television laws and any revisions to the current constitution are also covered in its outlines and policies.