Iran still has a president, however, and in recent years this once figurehead post has become a position of significant government influence, especially since the election of reformist president Mohammad Khatami in 1997.
The President of Iran is elected in a national election. There remain some obstacles to the election being truly democratic however. Only the candidates approved by the Council of Guardians which the Supreme Leader selects are permitted to run.
According to the Iranian constitution, When the President dies or is impeached a special provisional Presidential Council temporarily rules in his place until an election can be held.
Iran's Presidents