What is it?
Iran's post-1979 political spectrum is usually described in terms of two main camps. Principlists (Persian pronunciation Osulgarâyân) means "those loyal to principles." The camp covers conservative circles that prioritize preserving the early principles of the Islamic Revolution and the office of the Supreme Leader. Reformists (Persian pronunciation Eslâh-talabân, "those seeking reform") are circles that advocate political opening within the system, civil rights and a less confrontational relationship with the West.
According to its Wikipedia entry, the term "principlist" became common in the early 2000s, replacing older labels such as "conservative" or "fundamentalist."
How does it work?
Neither camp is a single party; both are loose coalitions. According to the Wikipedia entry, the principlists divide into groups such as IRGC-aligned hardliners, traditional conservatives tied to the revolution's first generation, and populist wings. Figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and former negotiator Ali Larijani are associated with the more pragmatic wing of the principlist camp.
The reformist movement gained strength with Mohammad Khatami's election as president in 1997. Masoud Pezeshkian, who won the 2024 election, also ran as a reformist candidate. The Guardian Council vets candidates' eligibility in elections, and under the constitution some of its members are appointed by the Supreme Leader. Reformists frequently complain that their candidates are disqualified en masse in this process.
Between the two camps there is also a middle ground referred to as "moderates" or "moderate conservatives." The label "Moderate conservative (Larijani circle)" in Farsçadan's source tags refers to this group.
Why does it matter?
When reading the Persian press, knowing which camp an outlet is close to is a precondition for understanding a story's framing. Kayhan and the Tehran municipality's Hamshahri, for example, follow the principlist line, while some papers lean reformist or moderate. The same event, such as a nuclear negotiation proposal or an economic data release, can be presented as a "victory" or a "crisis" depending on the camp.
Debates
This binary division is disputed. Critics point out that both camps accept the Islamic Republic's constitutional framework and the office of the Supreme Leader, and that opposition outside the system has no place in it. Opinion polls cited in the Wikipedia entry also suggest that a large share of voters don't identify with either camp.
