ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Iranian state institutions involved in the foreign policy decision-making, their areas of competence, and interdependencies. In the opinion of Jalil Roshandel, the following elements play key roles in foreign policy formulation: the constitution which forms the framework for the whole process; the executive, namely the president and the Supreme Council for National Security; the legislative – Majlis and the Guardian Council; the leadership; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The core of the Iranian foreign policy had originally been created on the basis of Khomeini’s concepts and was later modified in 1989. The whole chapter X of the Iranian Constitution of 1979 is dedicated to foreign policy. The supreme leader plays the most important role in the political system of Iran. As a consequence, he has a final say on all significant matters including issues related to foreign policy. The Guardian Council is the second most powerful body in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
