The Qom Seminary, located in Iran’s second holiest city, is a century-old Shi’ite clerical institution that wields significant influence over the nation’s religious elite and governance. Comprising nearly 60 schools, it attracts tens of thousands of students, including international attendees, and has produced many of Iran’s key political figures. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the state has increased its control over seminaries, intertwining them with government funding and oversight. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s influence extends through financial support and strategic control, shaping the clerical elite. While leadership remains male-dominated, over 3,000 women study in gender-segregated schools, focusing on religious education.