(CNN)  -- For almost a week, tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in daily protests -- handkerchiefs shielding their faces from the pungency of tear gas, fists punching the air, and chants of "Down with the dictator" echoing against buildings.



Moussovi supporters rally Wednesday in Tehran, Iran. Released by Fars News Agency of Iran.



The massive outpouring is a result of a disputed presidential election that the protesters think coronated the incumbent hard-liner, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, over their candidate, Mir Hossain Moussavi.



Context can help put their grievances into perspective:



Q. The Iran that we know today is the result of the Islamic Revolution. What is it?



A. The Islamic Revolution is the name given to the Iranian revolution of 1979, when the ruling U.S.-supported monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was forced into exile.  See timeline of recent Iranian history »



The country held a national referendum to become an Islamic republic and approve a new constitution.



The constitution was a hybrid of democracy and unelected religious leadership. It appointed Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini -- the leader of the revolution -- the supreme leader of the country.



Before he died in 1989, he made it known that he wanted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to succeed him.



Q. Is it true that the ultimate power in Iran lies with Khamenei?



A. Yes. The supreme leader has the final say in all important matters of the country, such as ties with foreign nations or Iran's nuclear aspirations.



He appoints the Guardian Council -- the country's election authority. He also appoints key posts in the intelligence services and the armed forces, including the powerful Revolutionary Guard. Additionally, he confirms the president's election.



In theory, the supreme leader is appointed by a body of clerics whom voters elect. But in practice, this body -- the Assembly of Experts -- has answered to the supreme leader.



Khamenei, 70, was appointed supreme leader for life in 1989.



Q. What is the Guardian Council, which has been in the news, saying it will recount some of the votes in the disputed election?



A. The unelected Guardian Council is the second-most influential body in Iran politics. It consists of six theologians whom the supreme leader picks and six jurists nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament.



The council approves all candidates running for office in the country, and verifies election results.



It vetoes bills passed by the parliament if they do not conform to the constitution and Islamic law.



In the present crisis, opposition leader Moussavi has had to take his grievance to the Guardian Council. It has agreed to some vote recounts.  See galleries of protests in Iran »



Q. So, how much power does the president wield?



A. It depends on how nicely he plays with the Guardian Council.



The president is elected by direct vote to a four-year term, for a maximum of two terms.



He is responsible for economic policy and social programs, but most of the larger decisions are made by the supreme leader.



In theory, his powers are second to the supreme leader's. But in practice, he is often hamstrung by the Guardian Council.



The Guardian Council has worked with hard-liner Ahmadinejad, a 53-year-old former mayor of Tehran who was elected in 2005. But it thwarted reform attempts by his predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.



Q. What is the Revolutionary Guard, who said they will take legal action against pro-Moussavi Web sites?



A. The guard was initially created to protect the leaders of the revolution. But over the years, it has broadened its scope. Today, it is directly under the control of the supreme leader and enforces the governments' Islamic codes and morality



With more than 200,000 members, it is tasked with overseeing the country's crucial interests, including guarding its oil fields and missile arsenals.



Q. What is the Basij, who are said to be behind most of the violence against opposition supporters?



A. The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary force that takes orders from the Revolutionary Guard. It
What has followed the election results? What did the protest follow? Where are the protests happening?
daily protests disputed presidential election Tehran, Iran.
question: What has followed the election results?, answer: daily protests | question: What did the protest follow?, answer: disputed presidential election | question: Where are the protests happening?, answer: Tehran, Iran.