Ali Khamenei Dies: Iran’s Supreme Leader After 30+ Years

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Dies After Decades of Hardline Rule

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has died, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday. The passing of Khamenei, who led the country with an iron fist for over 30 years, marks a pivotal moment for the Islamic Republic. He was 86 years old.

While not directly elected, Khamenei was the highest authority in Iran, wielding ultimate power over politics and the military. He remained above public criticism, a hallmark of his decades-long rule. The death of Khamenei is a significant blow to the Iranian government, where supreme authority rests with religious leaders adhering to the Shia branch of Islam.

Iran also has a president and parliament, but these institutions operate under the firm control of the religious establishment. The process for selecting candidates for office is heavily vetted by authorities, meaning true democratic representation is limited.

Khamenei Rose as Khomeini’s Right Hand

Born into a religious family in 1939, Ali Khamenei initially studied Islamic theology but became increasingly involved in politics. He was a protégé of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the figurehead of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei became a trusted aide to Khomeini as the revolution was planned.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution saw a change in power in Iran, with Ayatollah Khomeini ascending to leadership. In 1981, Khamenei became President of Iran. During his presidency, he survived an assassination attempt that left him with a paralyzed right arm. The identity of those responsible for the attack remains unclear.

Following Khomeini’s death in 1989, Khamenei was selected as the new Supreme Leader of Iran.

Khamenei Consolidated Power Through the Revolutionary Guard

Throughout his more than three decades in power, Khamenei remained a relatively enigmatic figure. His authority was underpinned by the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), tasked with protecting the Supreme Leader.

Khamenei strengthened the IRGC, allowing it to engage in business ventures, which significantly increased the wealth and influence of its members. The IRGC is estimated to have around 190,000 soldiers and is a major power player in Iran’s security apparatus.

Recent strikes by the United States and Israel on Saturday reportedly targeted both Iran’s highest leadership and the Revolutionary Guard.

A Belief in Strength Over Negotiation

Khamenei consistently expressed a belief in the power of force over negotiation, taking a staunchly anti-Western stance. Under his leadership, Iran expanded its network of allied militias in the Middle East, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran also accelerated its nuclear program during his tenure, which the United States and other Western nations believe was aimed at developing nuclear weapons. In 2016, he defended Iran’s missile tests on the official website, stating, “Those who imagine the future is in negotiation and not in missiles, are either ignorant or traitors.”

Khamenei’s rule was also marked by violent suppression of citizen protests. Estimates of casualties from the most recent demonstrations vary widely, ranging from several thousand to as high as 30,000.

Following initial reports of Khamenei’s death Saturday night, some residents in Tehran reportedly clapped from their windows and played celebratory music, according to the AFP news agency.