A major coordinated attack by the United States and Israel has resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The assault involved multiple missile strikes launched against Iranian targets. In response to his passing, the Iranian government has officially declared a 40-day period of national mourning, marking the conclusion of Khamenei’s 36-year reign.
A 36-Year Tenure
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held the position of Supreme Leader for 36 years, serving as both a religious authority and a key political strategist. His leadership began in 1989 following the death of the previous Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. His passing now signals a significant transition in Iran’s leadership after more than three decades under his command.
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Khamenei’s Path To Leadership
Khamenei’s rise to power was defined by his early years of struggle and his eventual ascent within the revolutionary government:
Imprisonment and Torture: In 1963, during the era of the Shah’s rule, Khamenei was imprisoned and subjected to severe physical abuse.
Political Rise: Following the Iranian Revolution, he began his political journey, serving as the Deputy Defense Minister under Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iran-Iraq War: During the conflict between 1980 and 1988, he maintained close ties with the security forces.
1981 Assassination Attempt: In June 1981, Khamenei was critically injured by a bomb hidden in a tape recorder at Tehran’s Abuzar Mosque. The explosion left his right arm paralyzed and caused him to lose hearing in one ear.
Rise To Supreme Leader
The 1981 attack transformed Khamenei’s public image, and with the support of Ruhollah Khomeini, he was subsequently elected as the President of Iran. Upon Khomeini’s death in June 1989, the Assembly of Experts, a council of religious scholars chose Khamenei to serve as the new Supreme Leader, a role he held until his death in the recent strikes.