The International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) has issued a new book entitled, ‘Under the Leader’s Cloak: How Khamenei’s Office Operates’ — by Majid Mohammadi, an Iranian sociologist and political analyst residing in the United States. This seminal publication provides readers with an in-depth insight into Khamenei’s office, unfolding its internal workings and dynamics; decision-making process; the cornerstone of its power, and much more. It delves into the murky waters of the Leader’s office and its personnel to demonstrate its complete monopolization over decision-making, bringing to light the power-brokers that lie in the shadows. This unique publication is a must-read to understand Iranian politics and goes beyond the existing literature on Iran by exploring the opaque world of the Leader’s office to shed light on its extensive operations and its management of day-to-day Iranian affairs. The eight-chapter book reveals the following: the actual functions of the Leader’s office by providing an in-depth account of its tasks ranging from handling Khamenei’s meetings to international outreach and managing oil contracts; how the office operates with a look at the strategies and tactics regularly employed such as cronyism, secrecy, and fiefdom; the organizational system of the office is studied, highlighting the different approaches adopted including the mafia and politburo approach. In addition to this, the structure of the office and its top officers are analyzed in detail; the management model of the Leader’s office and its legal status in the Iranian Constitution are also examined; finally, how the Leader’s authority is channeled and how the institutions under the Leader’s office operate and are scrutinized. This publication provides detailed insights and uncovers a juggernaut which many people are unaware of, particularly its sheer size, the extent and nature of its operations, calling into question the actual role and purpose of Iran’s elected institutions and highlighting the internal power struggles between the Leader’s office and the country’s elected institutions.
