Constitution Day in Iran Date in the current year: December 2, 2024

It is said that Ayatollah Khomeini came up with the idea of creating a constitution while being in exile in Paris. He based the first draft on the 1958 constitution of the Fifth French Republic. Following the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in the Iranian Revolution, the provisional government published the draft in June 1979.

The initial draft was revised to ensure its compliance with Shia doctrine. The Assembly of Experts approved the final draft of the new Islamic constitution on November 15. On December 2 and 3, 1979, a constitutional referendum was held by the Council of the Islamic Revolution. The constitution was approved by 99.5% of voters and went into force on December 3.

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran is often referred to as a hybrid of democratic and theocratic elements. It is based on the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, a doctrine which holds that Islam gives an Islamic jurist (faqīh) custodianship over people. Although Iran has a parliament, all legislation passed by the parliament must be sent to the Guardian Council of the Constitution for approval.