Rural communities exposed to natural hazards often face interconnected challenges arising from limited institutional coordination, insufficient preparedness, and weak social capacities, constraining their ability to anticipate hazards, respond, and recover from disruptions. Understanding how local governance and social capital can address these challenges is essential for strengthening resilience. This study examines the contribution of local governance and social capital to rural resilience in Ahar Village, Tehran Province, Iran. The study employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. Study population comprised experts in disaster management, geography and rural planning, local governance, social capital, and rural resilience. A purposive sample of 24 experts participated in three Delphi rounds. In the qualitative phase, dimensions and indicators of local governance, social capital, and rural resilience were identified through content analysis using semi-structured interviews and an open-ended questionnaire. In the quantitative phase, identified dimensions and indicators were evaluated and prioritized using a five-point Likert Delphi questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Kendall’s W. Local governance, social capital, and rural resilience ranked first to third, with mean scores of 4.42, 4.31, and 4.18, respectively. Within local governance, institutional capacity (4.58), preparedness and preventive planning (4.52), and coordination among local institutions (4.46) received the highest. Within social capital, social trust (4.55), local participation (4.43), and social cohesion and cooperation (4.37) ranked highest. For rural resilience, community preparedness and adaptability (4.41), social and institutional capacity (4.32), and the ability to recover and maintain village activities after disasters (4.25) received the highest.