Khamenei: Power Behind Six Iranian Presidencies
News Desk
Islamabad: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “is dead” following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Iranian media, however, said Khamenei, 86, is safe and “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.”
Khamenei became Iran’s highest authority in 1989, after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.
As supreme leader, he controls Iran’s military, government, and religious institutions, making key decisions on domestic policies and foreign affairs.
He has survived many crises in Iran, including the 1999 student protests, the 2009 post-election demonstrations, the 2019 nationwide protests, and the 2022–2023 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.
Khamenei has maintained a hardline approach during all these events, showing strong control over the country.
A key part of his power comes from the loyalty of Iran’s security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary units, which have hundreds of thousands of volunteers.
Khamenei also played an important role internationally.
He supported the 2015 nuclear deal, which eased Iran’s isolation, but tensions rose after the US left the deal in 2018. Israel considers him a threat, accusing him of supporting militant groups across the region.
During the June 2025 12-day air conflict with Israel, Khamenei reportedly went into hiding while Israel targeted Iranian security officials. He survived the attacks and remained a symbol of Iran’s resilience.
Khamenei’s political career began before he became supreme leader. He was arrested several times under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi for opposing the regime, became Tehran’s Friday prayer leader after the 1979 revolution, and fought in the Iran-Iraq war.
In 1981, he survived an assassination attempt that partially paralyzed his right arm.
When Khomeini died, the Assembly of Experts chose Khamenei as supreme leader, despite his initial hesitation. Since then, he has guided Iran through six presidencies, often siding with hardliners over reformists.
Khamenei has six children, with his son Mojtaba being politically active. Family disputes have also made news, such as his sister Badri leaving Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.
Experts say Khamenei’s strength comes from carefully maintaining loyalty within Iran’s military and political systems.
In the current conflict with the US and Israel, his leadership continues to shape Iran’s policies and the wider Middle East, making him a central figure in the region’s future. Input from Dawn news.
