Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: The Supreme Leader of Iran - A Comprehensive Biography


Introduction: Who is the Leader of Iran?


Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei is the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran, a position he has held since 1989. As the highest-ranking political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic, his influence extends over all branches of the state, including the government, military, and judiciary. Understanding his life—from a young revolutionary to the nation's ultimate authority—is key to understanding modern Iran's domestic policies and its role on the global stage. This in-depth biography traces his journey from a religious scholar to one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East.


Early Life and Religious Education (1939 – 1957)


Ayatollah Khamenei was born on July 16, 1939 (24 Tir 1318 on the Persian calendar) in Mashhad, Iran's holiest Shiite city. His family were Sayyids, meaning they traced their lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad.


· Family Background: His father, Ayatollah Seyyed Javad Khamenei, was a respected cleric and religious teacher known for his ascetic and simple lifestyle. This deeply religious environment profoundly shaped the young Ali's worldview.

· Early Education: He began his education at traditional religious schools in Mashhad. A gifted student, he quickly progressed through the preliminary stages of Islamic studies, including Arabic grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence.


Advanced Studies and Political Awakening (1957 – 1964)


Khamenei's quest for knowledge led him to the heart of Shiite theological learning.


· Studies in Najaf and Qom: In 1957, he traveled to Najaf, Iraq, a major center for Shiite scholarship. However, his stay was brief. He soon returned to Iran and moved to the holy city of Qom to continue his studies at its renowned seminaries.

· The Defining Influence of Ayatollah Khomeini: In Qom, he attended the lectures of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khomeini's revolutionary ideas against the Shah's regime and Western imperialism were a turning point for Khamenei, transforming him from a devoted scholar into a politically engaged revolutionary.

· Return to Mashhad: Due to his father's failing health, Khamenei returned to Mashhad in 1964. This return coincided with a period of intense political turmoil in Iran, setting the stage for his entry into active opposition.


Revolutionary Struggle and Imprisonment (1964 – 1978)


Khamenei became a key figure in the growing movement against Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.


· First Arrests: His fiery sermons criticizing the Shah's autocratic rule and its alignment with the West quickly drew the attention of SAVAK, the Shah's notorious secret police. He was first arrested in 1964.

· Exile and Imprisonment: This began a cycle of repeated arrests, imprisonment, and torture. In 1967, he was exiled to the remote towns of Iranshahr and Jiroft for three years. Even in exile, he continued his political activism. Subsequent arrests in the 1970s led to harsh imprisonments, where he was subjected to severe torture.

· Cultural Activism: Beyond sermons, Khamenei engaged in cultural resistance. He translated works from Arabic, including books by the influential Islamist thinker Sayyid Qutb. He also established the Islamic Center of Mashhad, which became a hub for revolutionary planning.

Key Role in the 1979 Iranian Revolution

As the revolution gained momentum in 1978, Khamenei's role expanded. He was a close ally of Ayatollah Khomeini and helped organize protests and strikes in Mashhad. Following the revolution's success in February 1979, he emerged as a trusted member of Khomeini's inner circle and was appointed to the Revolutionary Council, a key governing body in the new regime's early days.


Post-Revolution Leadership Roles: President and Beyond (1979 – 1989)


In the nascent Islamic Republic, Khamenei quickly assumed critical positions of power.


· Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran: In 1979, Khomeini appointed him as the Imam of Tehran's Friday Prayers, a highly influential platform for setting political and religious discourse.

· Member of Parliament: He was elected as a representative from Tehran to the first Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) in 1980.

· Surviving an Assassination Attempt: In June 1981, Khamenei was the victim of a bomb attack during a press conference at the Abu Zar Mosque in Tehran. The blast, carried out by the opposition group Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), severely injured his right arm, permanently crippling it.

· President of Iran (1981 – 1989): Following the assassination of President Mohammad-Ali Rajai, Khamenei was elected as Iran's third President in October 1981. At 42, he was the youngest person to hold the office. He was re-elected in 1985. His presidency was dominated by the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), during which he focused on managing the war effort and maintaining national morale.


The Supreme Leadership (1989 – Present)


The death of Ayatollah Khomeini in June 1989 created a monumental vacuum. The Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader, selected Ali Khamenei for the role. While he was a mid-ranking cleric (Hojjatoleslam) at the time, he was quickly promoted to Ayatollah to legitimize his position.


Powers and Responsibilities:

As Supreme Leader,Khamenei holds ultimate authority over the state. His constitutional powers include:


· Commandership of the Armed Forces.

· Setting the general policies of the Islamic Republic.

· Authority to declare war and peace.

· Appointing and dismissing the head of the judiciary, the head of state radio and television (IRIB), and Friday Prayer leaders.

· Confirming the election of the President.

· Direct control over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).


Key Policies and Ideology:


· "Resistance Economy": He has championed an economic model focused on self-sufficiency, reducing oil dependency, and bolstering domestic production to withstand international sanctions.

· Nuclear Program: He has consistently supported Iran's right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. While he ultimately endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), he has frequently expressed distrust of the West. After the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018, he maintained a stance of "heroic flexibility," supporting diplomatic efforts but insisting on tangible economic benefits.

· Foreign Policy: His doctrine is defined by resistance to Western, particularly American, influence ("The Great Satan") and unwavering support for regional "Axis of Resistance" allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian groups. He maintains a deep-seated opposition to Israel.

· Scientific Development: He has heavily emphasized advancements in science and technology, including nanotechnology, stem cell research, and aerospace, seeing them as crucial for national progress.


Personal Life and Legacy


Khamenei is known for a modest lifestyle. He is a prolific reader and has a vast personal library. He is also a published author and poet, with a known fondness for the classical Persian poetry of Hafez. He is fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Azeri Turkish.


His legacy is complex and deeply polarizing. To his supporters, he is a wise and steadfast leader defending Iran's sovereignty and Islamic values.

To his critics, both domestic and international, he is an autocrat whose rule has been marked by severe political repression, economic mismanagement due to isolation, and a confrontational foreign policy.


Conclusion: A Defining Figure


Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's life mirrors the trajectory of the Islamic Republic itself—from revolution to war to enduring international confrontation. For over three decades, he has been the ultimate arbiter of Iran's destiny. His decisions continue to shape not only Iran's internal social and political landscape but also the geopolitical dynamics of the entire Middle East. Understanding his ideology, his past, and his immense power is essential for anyone seeking to comprehend the challenges and realities of Iran today.