What is the function of the Assembly of Experts in practice?

• A. They meet to review the Leader's fitness and oversee leadership; they rarely challenge the Leader, but have formal power to potentially dismiss him.
• B. They are the primary legislative body.
• C. They directly appoint the President.
• D. They meet to draft economic policy and seldom review leadership.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the Assembly of Experts is a body of clerics whose job is to supervise the Supreme Leader. In practice, its core function is to review the Leader’s fitness to hold office and to oversee his leadership. They convene to assess whether the Leader remains qualified to govern and, in theory, have the authority to dismiss him if he fails to meet constitutional duties. Yet in reality they rarely challenge the Leader because of political realities and the Leader’s strong influence within the clerical establishment. This function contrasts with being a legislative body or with directly appointing the President or drafting economic policy, which are not the Assembly’s responsibilities.