Following the Constitutional Revolution, the National Consultative Assembly became the cornerstone of Iran’s political system. The Constitution and its Supplement defined the Assembly as the representative body of the nation, endowed with legislative authority and oversight over the executive branch. Although the effectiveness of the Assembly fluctuated due to royal interference, political instability, and foreign pressure, the idea of parliamentary sovereignty took root in Iranian political culture.
During the Pahlavi era, the parliament continued to exist but operated under significant constraints. Both Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah maintained strong centralized power, limiting the independence of the legislature. Elections were often tightly controlled, and opposition voices were marginalized. Despite these restrictions, the formal structure of parliamentary governance remained intact, preserving the institutional memory of the Assembly.
