Editing Oligarchy (section)

=== Iran ===
{{Main|Khomeinism|Velayat-e-faqih}}
The [[Islamic Republic of Iran]], established after the 1979 [[Iranian Revolution]], is sometimes described as a clerical oligarchy. Its ruling system, known as ''[[Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist|Velayat-e-Faqih]]'' (Governance of the Jurists), places power in the hands of a small group of high-ranking [[Shia Islam|Shia]] clerics, led by the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]]. This group holds significant influence over the country's legislative, military, and economic affairs, and critics argue that this system concentrates power in a religious elite, marginalizing other voices within society.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kazemzadeh |first=Masoud |title=Iran's Foreign Policy: Elite Factionalism, Ideology, the Nuclear Weapons Program, and the United States |publisher=Routledge |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-367-49545-9 |location=New York |pages=1–19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Amuzager |first=Jahangir |title=The Islamic Republic of Iran: Reflections on an Emerging Economy |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-85743-748-5 |location=New York |pages=48–50, 88–89}}</ref> The Iranian government has also intensified its surveillance efforts to suppress dissent, particularly targeting women and human rights activists. The "Noor plan," implemented in April 2024, has led to increased policing and criminal prosecution against women defying mandatory hijab laws. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran: Government continues systematic repression and escalates surveillance to crush dissent in the aftermath of protests, UN Fact-Finding Mission says |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/03/iran-government-continues-systematic-repression-and-escalates-surveillance |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=OHCHR |language=en}}</ref>