Historical Organization
Assembly of Experts for Constitution
Assembly of Experts for Constitution
Details
Organization Timeline
Voters elect the constitutional Assembly of Experts
📅 3 August 1979The election chose representatives to review and rewrite the proposed constitution.
The Islamic Republican Party wins a dominant position
📅 3 August 1979Clerical networks organized effectively while several left and minority organizations boycotted or faced disadvantages.
Constitution-making moves from draft to elected assembly
📅 3 August 1979The vote established a formal arena for deciding the institutions of the Islamic Republic.
Participation and representation remain contested
📅 3 August 1979Debates focused on whether the assembly reflected the full diversity of the revolutionary coalition.
The Assembly of Experts opens its sessions
📅 18 August 1979Seventy-three elected members began detailed deliberation on the constitution.
Velayat-e faqih becomes central to debate
📅 18 August 1979Clerical members advanced the principle that a qualified jurist should guide and supervise the republic.
The assembly debates popular sovereignty and Islamic authority
📅 18 August 1979Members sought different ways to combine elections, representative institutions and religious leadership.
Social and anti-imperialist principles are discussed
📅 18 August 1979The emerging constitution addressed public ownership, protection of the oppressed and rejection of foreign domination.
The Assembly approves its constitutional draft
📅 14 October 1979The completed text differed substantially from the provisional government's earlier proposal.
Velayat-e faqih is embedded in the constitution
📅 14 October 1979The leading jurist received extensive supervisory authority as guardian of the revolution's Islamic direction.
Elected institutions remain part of the new order
📅 14 October 1979The draft included a president, parliament, referendums and councils alongside religious oversight.
Anti-domination principles shape foreign policy articles
📅 14 October 1979The document rejected foreign control and declared support for the struggles of oppressed peoples.
Voting begins on the new constitution
📅 2 December 1979The two-day referendum asked citizens to approve the constitution drafted by the Assembly of Experts.
The constitution receives overwhelming official approval
📅 2 December 1979Supporters treated the result as popular confirmation of the Islamic Republic's permanent institutions.
Several revolutionary currents boycott or oppose the text
📅 2 December 1979Nationalists, left organizations, Kurdish groups and some clerical supporters objected to the powers of velayat-e faqih or the political process.
The constitutional referendum completes the founding cycle
📅 2 December 1979Within one year Iran had overthrown monarchy, voted for a republic and ratified a new constitutional order.