The Legacy of Ali Khamenei: Iran's Supreme Leader and His Impact

A Pivotal Figure in Iran's History

This morning, reports from Iranian state media and various international outlets confirmed the death of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, following a series of coordinated airstrikes by the US and Israel on Iranian territory. For nearly four decades, Khamenei was a dominant force in Iran and a significant political figure in the Middle East. He succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini as the second Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, a role that began in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution that ousted the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. His passing signifies the end of an era that has profoundly influenced Iran's political, religious, and military landscape for 36 years.

The Revolutionary Background

The heir to a revolution

Khamenei was born in 1939 in Mashhad, Iran, and began his education in Islamic seminaries at a young age. His teenage years were marked by exposure to radical Islamist ideologies, particularly those of Navab Safavi, who promoted political violence against the Shah's regime. In 1958, he met Khomeini, which significantly shaped his ideological path. He adopted Khomeinism, advocating for the concept of velayat-e faqih, or 'guardianship of the jurist,' which posits that a senior Shia Islamic scholar should govern the state with substantial religious and political authority.

After Khomeini's exile in 1964, Khamenei became an active participant in the revolutionary movement, facing multiple arrests and torture at the hands of the Shah's secret police. His image is displayed at Tehran's Ebrat Museum, a former prison for political detainees, serving as a reminder of the Shah's oppressive regime. Following the 1979 revolution, Khamenei quickly ascended within the new Islamic Republic, eventually becoming the Imam of Friday prayers in Tehran, a position he held until his death.

Survival and Rise to Power

Khamenei survived an assassination attempt in June 1981, where a bomb detonated in Tehran’s Abouzar Mosque, leaving him with a paralyzed right arm and hearing loss in one ear. He famously remarked, “I won’t need the hand; it would suffice if my brain and tongue work.” This incident further solidified his image as a martyr of the revolution. A year later, he was elected president, serving two terms during the Iran–Iraq War. His ultimate rise to power came after Khomeini's death in June 1989.

With no clear successor, senior clerics turned to Khamenei and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani for leadership. Despite expressing doubts about his qualifications, Khamenei was elected as Supreme Leader in a closed-door session, where he acknowledged his mid-level cleric status but accepted the role.

Consolidation of Power

Critics argued that Khamenei lacked the grand ayatollah rank required by the constitution. However, a referendum in July 1989 amended the constitution to allow a leader with demonstrated Islamic scholarship. Over time, amendments expanded the Supreme Leader's powers, granting Khamenei broader authority than Khomeini had, including the ability to set state policy, appoint key officials, oversee the military, and control state media.

The architecture of control

If Khomeini was the revolutionary firebrand, Khamenei became the institutional consolidator. He played a crucial role in strengthening the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which evolved into a powerful military and political entity under his leadership. Khamenei positioned Iran as a counterforce to 'Western imperialism,' supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, thereby establishing what analysts termed Iran’s 'axis of resistance.'

Challenges and Legacy

The most significant challenge to Khamenei's authority arose after the disputed 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, leading to widespread protests known as the Green Movement. Khamenei's support for the election results resulted in a violent crackdown, marking a turning point in public sentiment against his regime. Over the years, protests became a common occurrence, with chants against Khamenei becoming increasingly prevalent.

Former US President Donald Trump labeled Khamenei as 'one of the most evil people in history,' while supporters viewed him as the protector of the revolution. In 2015, Iran reached a significant agreement with world powers to alleviate sanctions, but the subsequent withdrawal by Trump led to a deterioration of Iran's economy.

The recent conflict following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel further complicated Iran's regional standing, leading to military confrontations. Many observers believe Khamenei's influence was waning as Iran's regional power diminished. His death marks a pivotal moment for Iran, raising urgent questions about succession and the future of the Islamic Republic.