Iran’s regime is still intact – the coming days will show if it can hold out

Under Iran’s constitution, the selection of a new supreme leader falls to the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected by popular vote for eight-year terms. However, the electoral process includes a critical limitation: all candidates for the Assembly must be vetted and approved by the Guardian Council. That 12-member body is itself deeply intertwined with the leadership structure, six members appointed directly by the supreme leader and six nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament, with the judiciary chief also appointed by the supreme leader.