FACTIONS IN THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2011
• Sequence Number: 5
• Content Type: MISC

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
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1. The Iranian Government is basically split into three factions. There
is a conservative faction, a radical faction, and a faction ideologically
between the two that is usually referred to as the moderate faction but is
more properly described as "a middle-of-the-road" faction. All of these
factions advocate an Islamic government, although there are striking
differences in their ideas on how an Islamic government should be structured.
a. Radical faction. This faction calls for an Islamic government
with a foreign policy more aligned with the Eastern Bloc. It wants the
government to exercise complete control of an economy organized essentially
along classical Marxist lines. Many members of this faction were educated in
the Soviet Bloc, including some clergymen. They also were involved in the
more radical anti-Shah movements prior to the revolution. Many of them spent
time in jail during the Shah's reign and in many cases their cellmates were
members of the Tudeh Party, Iran's Communist party.
b. Conservative faction. This faction believes that the government
should be based exclusively on religious precepts. This would include a total
return to Shariah law. With regard to the economy, adherents of this faction
want a free economy, in part because this is the way they interpret the Koran
and the Hadith of the prophet, but perhaps most importantly because this
faction contains the majority of the Bazaaris from which the faction gets its
financial support and they are vocal adherents of a free economy. In foreign
policy, this faction advocates closer relations with the West with one
exception, the United States. They are opposed to Israel and also opposed to
normalization of relations with the United States as long as the United States
is closely allied to Israel.
c. Middle-of-the-road faction. This faction is usually referred to
as the moderate faction. It takes a more pragmatic approach to problems
facing the government than either of the other two ideologically rigid
factions. While members of this faction favor an Islamic government, they
advocate a form of a republic in which the clergy shares authority with
secular elements but in which ultimate governmental authority is kept in
clercial hands. This faction advocates a free economy with some government
participation. On foreign policy they want to expand relations with the West
and are the only faction which would like to see a resumption of relations
with the United States.
2. The three factions interact in curious ways. For instance, the
conservative faction cooperates with the middle-of-the-road faction in its
moves against the radical faction. But the middle-of-the-road faction tends
to oppose the conservative faction on the war because the latter wants to
bring it to an end. In Iran ideologies are not of overriding importance
except for religious devotion. Iranians tend to follow strong leadership
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
rather than ideologies, so there is often a shifting of ideological
commitment. When examining Iranian politics, it is more beneficial to look
for strong leadership than to attempt to categorize the leaders
ideologically. A good example is Mohammad Mossadegh. He made the National
Front work through his charisma and strong personality. Once he was removed
from the scene, the National Front was never again a significant force, not
because it lacked ideological appeal, but because it lacked leadership.
3. The following is an attempt to identify key Iranian leaders within the
various factions. It is important to note that all three factions pander to
Ayatollah Khomeini on issues where his stand is clear. Some of these will be
pointed out below.
a. Conservative faction. President and Defense Minister Khamenei is
the siookesman for this faci7i on
The other significant cabinet member who is a
er o the conservative faction is Foreign Minister Velayati. There is a
group of about 15 members in the Majlis (Iranian Parliament) headed by
Ayatollah Azeri-Qumi who are very conservative and press the conservative view
in the Majlis. The Hojatieh Society is a conservative clerical society which
has many members in government positions; these individuals normally support
the conservative faction. Because of its very conservative views, this group
does not have much in the way of appeal among educated Iranians. Of the three
factions, this is the weakest, although it can use its extensive support among
the clergy to rally support for conservative causes.
b. Radical faction. There are two cabinet members who are dedicated
radicals with Marxist leanings. They are Prime Minister Musavi-Khamene'i and
Minister of Heavy Industries Nabavi. The Minster of the Revolutionary Guard,
Rafiqdust is a radical, but he has little power A more e
Revolutionary Prosecutor, Ayatollah Khoini
e rea
strength of the radical faction lies i_n its virtual total control of the
media. Radical members are adamantly opposed to any resumption of relations
with the United States. Their perception is that Khomeini himself is opposed
to any resumption in relations, a factor that leads them to assume that this
is a subject they can freely attack in the media. Their strength is in their
superior organization; their weakness lies in the fact that both of the other
factions oppose them and they have limited popular appeal in Iran.
c. Middle-of-the-road faction. This faction consists of
personalities who look to Speaker of the Majlis Hashemi-Rafsenjani for
leadership. He is a skillful politician who does very well at playing off the
other two factions against each other. He has strong political allies in
Minister of Information Reyshari and Minister of Interior Muhtashamipur who,
despite his leftist credentials, is a close friend and political ally of
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/08: CIA-RDP88B00443R000401660005-3