Iranian Security Forces

Iranian Security Forces are complex, reflecting the unusually complex mixed clerical and political government structure. At the top of the structure is the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khameini, who is head of state. He is elected, reviewed, and can be deposed by the Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a popularly elected body; he has final command authority over all security forces.

Control is exercised through a Supreme National Security Council, chaired by the President of Iran and head of government, Mahmoud Ahminejad.

Three ministries have operational responsibility over most intelligence, military and paramilitary, and police organizations. There are also various quasi-independent forces reporting to various clerics.

Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics
Under a Joint Armed Forces General Staff are separate air, ground, and naval organizations under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (Pasdaran) of 120,000 regulars plus a much larger number of irregulars and reserves, and regular military (Artesh) of 350,000 regulars.

Ministry of the Interior
This commands the Law Enforcement Forces of approximately 120,000 police.