On February 28, as a result of a joint operation by the U.S. Air Force and Israel against the Iranian regime, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, passed away.
Ayatollah Khamenei, an Iranian religious and political figure, had served as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1989.
Early Years
Ali Khamenei was born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad to a family with religious roots. From a young age, starting at 13, he studied at a Shia seminary, later continuing his education in Qom and Najaf under the mentorship of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Since the early 1960s, he actively participated in the anti-Shah struggle, repeatedly facing arrests by the SAVAK secret police.
Islamic Revolution and Career Growth
During the 1978-1979 revolution, Khamenei became a member of the Revolutionary Council, participated in the establishment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and held the position of Friday prayer imam in Tehran. In 1981, he became a victim of an assassination attempt, resulting in the paralysis of his right arm. That same year, he was elected President of Iran, receiving 95% of the votes, and led the country during the Iran-Iraq War until 1989.
Responsibilities of the Supreme Leader
After Khomeini's death in 1989, Khamenei was elected Rahbar by the Assembly of Experts. Amendments to the Constitution granted him significant influence over the military, judicial system, state media, and security forces. In 1994, he received the title of Grand Ayatollah and became one of the main Shia Marja, possessing the highest authority in religious matters.
Khamenei adhered to a conservative Islamic ideology, advocating for the preservation of the theocratic system of "velayat-e faqih" and supporting the development of nuclear energy while simultaneously declaring a ban on nuclear weapons.
In his foreign policy, he sharply criticized the U.S., calling it "the symbol of tyranny," and referred to Israel as an "occupying regime," supporting organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
Under his leadership, Iran managed to strengthen its position in the region despite international sanctions. Escalations occurred between 2024 and 2026, leading to missile exchanges with Israel and strikes by the U.S.
Domestically, Khamenei harshly suppressed opposition, including the protests of 2009 and the unrest of 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Personal Life
Since 1964, he had been married to Mansoureh Hojjasteh Bagherzadeh. The couple had six children, among whom son Mojtaba is considered a possible successor.
In his public persona, Khamenei emphasized simplicity and asceticism, combining the roles of the highest spiritual authority, head of state, and symbol of the Islamic revolution.
Tragic Death
On February 28, 2026, as a result of joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Tehran, Khamenei was killed, and his daughter and son-in-law also became victims of this tragedy. Following his death, temporary governance of the country was transferred to a council consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and one of the members of the Guardian Council.
