The
Supreme Leader of Iran (, , lit.
Guardian Jurist of Iran, or , , lit.
Leader of the Revolution), officially in Iran, the
Supreme Leadership Authority , is the
head of state and
highest ranking political and religious authority in the
Islamic Republic of Iran. The post was established by the
constitution in accordance with the concept of
Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists. The title
"Supreme" Leader (
Persian: ,
vali-e faghih) is often used as a sign of respect; however, this terminology is not found in the
constitution of Iran, which simply referred to the "
Leader" (
rahbar; ).