What is the status of women's political participation in Iran?

• A. Women cannot vote.
• B. Women vote and run for office; they hold seats in Parliament and local councils but face legal restrictions and limited opportunities for top leadership.
• C. Women occupy the presidency.
• D. Women are barred from any political roles.

Answer: (B)

Women in Iran vote and can run for office, and they have held seats in Parliament and in local councils. But there are legal and institutional barriers that limit access to the highest leadership roles, such as the presidency. The Guardian Council screens and can disqualify candidates for elections, and political and cultural factors make advancing to top positions very challenging. So the overall picture is participation and representation at some levels, with significant hurdles preventing broad ascent to the top leadership.