What is the power of the Assembly of Experts?

• A. It passes laws and approves budget
• B. It vets elections and legislation
• C. It supervises the Leader and can appoint or dismiss him
• D. It formulates foreign policy

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that the Assembly of Experts holds a supervisory role over the Supreme Leader, including the authority to appoint and, if necessary, dismiss him. This body, made up of 88 clerics elected to eight-year terms, is charged with monitoring the Leader to ensure he governs within constitutional limits. The ability to appoint or remove the Leader is the main constitutional check on the highest religious authority in Iran. They do not pass laws or approve the budget—that’s the Parliament’s job. They do not vet elections or legislation—that task is handled by other bodies like the Guardian Council. They do not formulate foreign policy—that role lies with the Leader and related national security structures. So the Assembly’s defining power is to supervise the Leader and have the power to appoint or dismiss him.