Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is one of the most influential and controversial political and religious figures in the modern Middle East. As the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, Khamenei holds the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, wielding considerable power over the nation’s political, military, and religious institutions. Often described as a hardliner, a cleric, a revolutionary, and a symbol of continuity in post-revolutionary Iran, Khamenei’s leadership has defined Iran’s direction for more than three decades.

But who is the man behind the title? Understanding Khamenei requires a deep look into his religious background, revolutionary credentials, political strategies, and his complex relationship with both domestic factions and the global community.

Early Life and Religious Education

Ali Hosseini Khamenei was born on July 17, 1939, in Mashhad, a major city in northeastern Iran and home to the shrine of Imam Reza, one of the most revered figures in Shia Islam. He was born into a family of clerics; his father was a respected but modestly positioned Islamic scholar. This religious environment laid the foundation for Khamenei’s early immersion in Islamic studies.

Khamenei pursued his religious education in Mashhad and later in the theological center of Qom, where he studied under prominent Shia scholars, including Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the eventual leader of the Islamic Revolution. It was during his time in Qom that Khamenei became increasingly politicized, adopting the view that Islam should not remain detached from governance—a principle that would become central to the ideology of the Islamic Republic.

Role in the Islamic Revolution

In the 1960s and 70s, Khamenei became active in opposition to Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the pro-Western monarch of Iran. Influenced by Khomeini’s teachings, he participated in underground networks that distributed religious-political literature and organized resistance.

Khamenei was arrested multiple times by the Shah’s security services, spending time in prison and exile. His revolutionary credentials were solidified by these sacrifices, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the clerical opposition. Following the Shah’s fall in 1979 and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei emerged as a close associate of Ayatollah Khomeini and a key figure in the new regime.

From President to Supreme Leader

After the revolution, Khamenei held a number of important roles. He became a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)’s upper echelons and served as a Friday Prayer leader in Tehran. His political prominence increased when he was elected as President of Iran in 1981, following the assassination of President Mohammad-Ali Rajai.

Khamenei served two terms as president (1981–1989), during which he navigated the challenges of the Iran-Iraq War, internal factionalism, and the early years of post-revolutionary state-building. Though not a grand ayatollah at the time, Khamenei was known for his ideological loyalty to Khomeini and his firm stance against liberal and secular currents within the country.

In 1989, following Khomeini’s death, a constitutional amendment removed the requirement that the Supreme Leader be a marja’ (the highest rank of Shia clerical authority), paving the way for Khamenei’s elevation to the role despite his relatively lower clerical standing. This move was controversial, but it marked the beginning of what would become one of the longest-lasting political reigns in the Middle East.

The Supreme Leader’s Power

As Supreme Leader, Khamenei is Iran’s head of state, and his powers far exceed those of the president. His authority encompasses:

• Military command: He is the commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces and has ultimate authority over the IRGC and regular army.

• Judicial appointments: He appoints the head of the judiciary and exerts influence over the legal system.

• Media and communications: He controls major state media outlets and has influence over censorship and cultural policy.

• Foreign policy: While the president and foreign minister represent Iran internationally, all significant foreign policy decisions—especially those related to the United States, nuclear negotiations, and regional strategy—must have his approval.

• Guardian Council and Expediency Council oversight: These institutions, which vet election candidates and mediate political disputes, operate under his guidance.

In short, Khamenei sits at the apex of a theocratic-political system designed to blend Islamic law with modern statecraft, where the Supreme Leader is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts—a body that rarely challenges his decisions.

Ideological Outlook and Foreign Policy

Khamenei is a staunch anti-Western and anti-imperialist thinker. He has consistently criticized U.S. and Israeli policies and promotes a worldview where Iran stands as a bulwark against Western cultural and political influence. He views the Islamic Republic as the defender of oppressed peoples, especially Muslims, and sees the export of Iran’s revolutionary ideals as a religious and moral obligation.

Under his leadership, Iran has supported groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and various Shia militias in Iraq. These alliances have extended Iran’s influence across the Middle East but have also heightened tensions with regional rivals like Saudi Arabia and global powers like the United States.

Khamenei has also played a central role in Iran’s nuclear policy. While he issued a religious decree (fatwa) against the use of nuclear weapons, he has supported Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology, framing it as a sovereign right. He backed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) initially, but was deeply skeptical of American intentions. After the U.S. withdrew from the deal under President Donald Trump in 2018, Khamenei hardened his stance, reinforcing the narrative that the West could not be trusted.

Domestic Politics and Opposition

Domestically, Khamenei has overseen a political system that tolerates limited electoral competition within strict boundaries. Reformist candidates are often disqualified, and those who challenge the ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic face imprisonment or exile.

Khamenei supported the crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement, which erupted over alleged election fraud. He also endorsed the suppression of protests in 2017, 2019, and 2022, including the widespread unrest following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested by the morality police.

Despite this, Khamenei remains a deeply influential figure among conservative and hardline factions. His leadership is seen as vital to the Islamic Republic's continuity, especially amid increasing internal dissatisfaction, economic hardship, and generational shifts in values.

Legacy and Succession

At 85 years old (as of 2024), Khamenei’s health and the question of succession are central concerns in Iranian politics. While he has not publicly named a successor, speculation surrounds figures like his son Mojtaba Khamenei, though a hereditary transition would be controversial.

Khamenei’s legacy will likely be debated for generations. To supporters, he is a steadfast guardian of revolutionary values and Islamic governance. To critics, he is an authoritarian figure who has overseen the repression of dissent, curtailed freedoms, and isolated Iran internationally.

Conclusion

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is more than just a political leader; he is the embodiment of the Islamic Republic’s ideological backbone. His leadership has shaped Iran’s trajectory through war, revolution, reform, and resistance. As Iran confronts mounting internal pressures and complex external threats, Khamenei’s decisions—past and future—remain central to understanding not only Iran itself but also the broader dynamics of the Middle East.