How does Iran's political system combine elections with clerical oversight?

Iran’s political system is a unitary Islamic republic that blends democratic elements, such as a directly elected president and parliament, with theocratic oversight.

At the apex of this structure is the supreme leader, or rahbar, a ranking cleric who holds ultimate authority over state functions, policy, and the electoral process. Clerical control is primarily exercised through the Council of Guardians, a 12-member body of jurists. This council ensures that all legislation complies with the constitution and Islamic law.1243

Crucially, the Council of Guardians acts as a gatekeeper for elections. All candidates for the presidency, parliament, and the Assembly of Experts must receive the council's prior approval. This opaque vetting process has been used to systematically disqualify reformist and centrist candidates, significantly restricting voter choice and concentrating power within the conservative clerical establishment. Consequently, while Iran maintains universal suffrage, the electoral process is heavily constrained by clerical institutions to ensure alignment with revolutionary and Islamic precepts.4352