Environmental governance has shifted in recent decades from state-centered models toward network-based and participatory approaches; however, environmental policymaking in the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to face challenges such as centralization, weak participation of civil society institutions, institutional incoherence, and inefficiency in implementation. This study aims to explain the role of civil society institutions in the reconfiguration of environmental governance and to present the model of “random governance.” The main research question is: How can the random governance model explain the interaction between the state and civil society in Iran’s environmental policymaking? The research employs a descriptive–analytical method based on documentary studies and content analysis of relevant sources and scholarly works. The findings indicate that the weak institutionalization of civil society participation, centralized decision-making structures, the lack of sustainable mechanisms for cooperation, and the dominance of reactive policy approaches are among the main factors contributing to the inefficiency of environmental governance in Iran. In contrast, random governance, by emphasizing the gradual formation of collaborative networks, multi-level interactions among the state, civil society organizations, and the private sector, as well as institutional flexibility, provides an appropriate framework for explaining and enhancing environmental governance. Accordingly, transitioning from a state-centered model toward networked and participatory governance based on civil society capacities is an essential requirement for improving environmental policymaking in Iran.