Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic of Iran for 36 years as Supreme Leader, has been killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iranian state media reported. Despite his long tenure, the way many Iranians view his leadership is deeply divided — and for many, he will not be remembered with reverence.
Khamenei became one of the most powerful figures in modern Iranian history, inheriting the role after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Over three decades, he built a system in which he had broad authority over Iran’s politics, security forces, judiciary, media, and foreign policy.
A Rise to Power
Born in Mashhad in 1939, Khamenei’s early life was shaped by religious studies in important Shi’a centres such as Qom and Najaf. He embraced the revolutionary ideology of Khomeini and worked closely with him during the struggle against the shah’s regime. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Khamenei climbed the ranks of power — becoming deputy defence minister, a key organiser of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and later president during the Iran–Iraq War.
When Khomeini died in 1989, there was no obvious successor, and some clerics questioned whether Khamenei had the religious credentials to lead. A constitutional referendum was held to adjust requirements for the position, and Khamenei was elevated to Supreme Leader — a role that granted him far greater authority than his predecessor.
Consolidating Control
Once in power, Khamenei used his constitutional powers to shape Iran’s domestic and foreign policies. He often overruled elected presidents when their agendas conflicted with his vision, weakening reformist and moderate voices. In key moments — such as the disputed 2009 presidential election — he backed crackdowns on protesters, leading to deaths and mass arrests.
Even when reformist political leaders won popular support, Khamenei frequently limited their influence, especially in negotiations with the West over sanctions and Iran’s economy. In the final years of his rule, growing unrest in Iran over economic hardship and political restrictions once again led to widespread protests, which his government suppressed harshly.
Domestic and Regional Impact
Under Khamenei, the state’s control widened. The Revolutionary Guard grew in power, and Iran’s foreign policy became deeply entangled with regional proxy groups like Hezbollah and others. While at times the regime engaged in negotiations, including over the nuclear program, it was also marked by staunch resistance to Western influence and regional conflict.
Despite the centralisation of authority, Khamenei was often seen by critics as prioritising regime survival over meaningful progress. His leadership coincided with economic difficulties, international isolation, and public frustration. Many Iranians view his decades in power not as a period of strength but as one of stagnation and repression — and when he died, mass mourning was not guaranteed as it was for his predecessor.
A Complex Legacy
Khamenei’s death marks the end of one of the most polarising eras in Iran’s modern political history. While some may honour his steadfastness, many ordinary Iranians are more likely to see his legacy in terms of the repression, limited freedoms, and hardships of the past decades. His leadership reshaped Iran, but it also left deep divisions within society and questions about the future direction of the country.
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