The special committee ruled that the pro-Khatami candidates could re-enter the race but only if they pledged in writing their loyalty to the principle of velayat-e-faqih, or clerical rule.
ECONOMIST: Iran
2.
First and foremost, we in the Steadfastness Front are followers of velayat-e faqih.
NEWYORKER: Election, Monitored
3.
He got away with reinterpreting aspects of velayat-e faqih in this manner, mainly because his father was one of its authors.