a government controlled by religious leaders

A government controlled by religious leaders is called a theocracy.

What a theocracy is

In a theocracy, top political power is held by religious authorities, who claim to rule on the basis of divine will or religious law rather than the will of the people.

Laws and policies are typically derived from sacred texts or official religious doctrine, and secular (non‑religious) law is secondary or sometimes not recognized at all.

Key features

• Religious leaders occupy the highest offices of the state or directly control those who do.

• Legitimacy of the government is justified by divine authority, not just constitutions or elections.

• Civil rights, education, media, and justice systems are usually required to conform to official religious rules.

Real‑world examples

• Iran is often cited as a modern theocracy, where the Supreme Leader, a senior cleric, has ultimate authority over elected institutions.

• Saudi Arabia bases its governance on Islamic law, with religious doctrine shaping legislation and social norms throughout the kingdom.

TL;DR: The term you’re looking for is theocracy —a system where religious leaders run the government and religious law guides state power.

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