The enduring struggle between secular constitutionalism and religious authority continues to define the Iranian political landscape. This conflict originates in Article 2 of the 1907 Supplementary Fundamental Law, which established the ideological divide between secular constitutionalism (mashruteh) and shari’a-constrained governance (mashru’eh). During the Pahlavi era, Reza Shah and subsequently Mohammad Reza Shah effectively sidelined this religious oversight. [iv]The 1979 overthrow of Mohammad Reza Shah marked a pivotal reversal. This approach represents a significant example of the contemporary effort to reconcile Iranian national identity with modern liberal values.

Source: Washington Post January 30, 2026 10:44 UTC