Islamic Republic of Iran, The Supreme National Security Council

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Islamic Republic of Iran
The Supreme National Security Council
(Source: Farhang va Andisheh Institute, A. Farahani, 1997)
The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is an institution founded in the course of the revision of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The SNSC has been established with an aim to watch over the Islamic Revolution and safeguard the IRI’s national interests as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Article 177 of the Constitution, the responsibilities of the SNSC are as follows:

  1. To determine the national defense/security policies within the framework of general policies laid down by the Leader.
  2. To coordinate political, intelligence, social, cultural and economic activities in relation to general defense/security policies.
  3. To exploit material and non-material resources of the country for facing internal and external threats.

Commensurate with its responsibilities, the Supreme National Security Council has established sub-committees such as defense subcommittee and national security sub-committee. The sub-committees are headed by the President or one of the members of the SNSC appointed by the President.

Limits of authorities and functions of the sub-committees are laid down by law, and their organizational structure is approved by the SNSC. Approvals of the SNSC shall be enforceable after the ratification of the Leader.

The members of the SNSC consists of:

  • Heads of the three Powers (Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary)
  • Chief of the Supreme Command Council of the Armed Forces (SCCAF)
  • The official in charge of the Plan an Budget Organization (PBO)
  • Two representatives nominated by the Leader
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Information (Intelligence)
  • A minister concerned with the subject, and the highest authorities of the Army and the Islamic Revolution’s Guards Corps (IRGC).