Article 176
In order to safeguarding the national interests and preserving
the Islamic Revolution, the territorial integrity and national
sovereignty, a Supreme Council for National Security presided over
by the President shall be constituted to fulfil the following
responsibilities:
- Determining the defence and national security policies
within the framework of general policies determined by the Leader.
- Coordination of activities in the areas relating to
politics, intelligence, social, cultural and economic fields in
regard to general defence and security policies.
- Exploitation of materialistic and intellectual resources
of the country for facing the internal and external threats.
The Council shall consist of: heads of three branches of the
government, chief of the Supreme Command Council of the Armed
Forces, the officer in charge of the planning and budget affairs,
two representatives nominated by the Leader, ministers of foreign
affairs, interior, and information, a minister related with the
subject, and the highest ranking officials from the Armed Forces
and the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps.
Commensurate with its duties, the Supreme Council for National
Security shall form sub-councils such as Defence Sub-council and
National Security Sub-council. Each Sub-council will be presided
over by the President or a member of the Supreme Council for
National Security appointed by the President.
The scope of authority and responsibility of the Sub-councils
will be determined by law and their organizational structure will
be approved by the Supreme Council for National Defence.
The decisions of the Supreme Council for National Security
shall be effective after the confirmation by the Leader.