The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Persian: مجلس شورای اسلامی‎) is the parliament of__?

The correct answer is Iran.

The Islamic Consultative Assembly, commonly known in Persian as the Majlis, is the unicameral legislative body of the Islamic Republic of Iran. While the Iranian political system is unique and features several overlapping power centers, the Majlis serves as the primary forum for national law-making and government oversight, representing the people of Iran within the framework of a theocratic republic.

Structure and Membership

The Majlis currently consists of 290 members, though this number can be increased periodically. Members are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. A unique feature of the Iranian parliament is the constitutional guarantee of seats for recognized religious minorities. Despite Iran being a predominantly Shia Muslim nation, specific seats are reserved for:

• Zoroastrians


• Jews


• Assyrian and Chaldean Christians


• Armenian Christians (North and South)

The Role of the Guardian Council

Unlike many other world parliaments, the power of the Islamic Consultative Assembly is not absolute. Every piece of legislation passed by the Majlis must be reviewed and approved by the Guardian Council. This 12-member body consists of six Islamic clerics and six jurists. Their role is to ensure that laws are compatible with both the Iranian Constitution and Islamic Law (Sharia). If the Guardian Council finds a law "un-Islamic" or unconstitutional, they can veto it and send it back to the Majlis for revision.

History: From the Constitutional Revolution to the Republic

The history of the Majlis predates the 1979 Revolution. It was first established in 1906 during the Qajar Dynasty following the Persian Constitutional Revolution. At that time, it was a symbol of the struggle for democratic representation against absolute monarchy. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the body was renamed from the "National Consultative Assembly" to the "Islamic Consultative Assembly" to reflect the new state ideology.

Primary Functions and Powers

• The Islamic Consultative Assembly holds several significant powers within the Iranian state:


• Legislation: Drafting and passing laws on all matters within the limits of the Constitution.


• Budgetary Oversight: Reviewing and approving the annual national budget.


• Confidence Votes: The Majlis has the authority to grant or withdraw votes of confidence in the President’s cabinet ministers.


• International Treaties: All international treaties, protocols, and contracts must be approved by the assembly.


• Impeachment: In extreme cases, the Majlis can initiate the process of impeaching the President.

The Seat of the Majlis

The parliament meets in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Since 2004, it has been housed in a modern, pyramid-shaped building located in the Baharestan neighborhood. This area has historically been the center of Iranian political life for over a century.

Understanding the "Islamic Consultative Assembly" is vital for distinguishing Iran's political structure from its neighbors, such as the Council of Representatives in Iraq or the Wolesi Jirga (formerly) in Afghanistan. It represents a complex blend of republicanism and religious governance.