Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader

Iran's Supreme Leader from 1989 to 2026

For Khamenei biography, see Ali Khamenei.

Ali Khamenei

File:Ali Khamenei in sep 2020.jpg

Khamenei in 2020

Supreme Leader of Iran
In office
4 June 1989 – 28 February 2026
Preceded by| Ruhollah Khomeini
Personal details
Born|

Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei

(1939-04-19)April 19, 1939
Mashhad, Imperial State of Iran
Died| 28 February 2026
Tehran, Iran
Political party| Society of the Militant Clergy of Tehran

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Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader refers to the tenure of Ali Khamenei as the second Supreme Leader of Iran, the highest political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He assumed the position on 4 June 1989 following the death of revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini and held the office for nearly thirty-seven years. Khamenei's leadership ended on 28 February 2026 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated missile strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei was killed during the strikes in Tehran, bringing an abrupt end to one of the longest continuous leadership periods in the modern history of the Middle East.[1][2]

During his tenure, Khamenei exercised ultimate authority over Iran's political system, including command of the armed forces, oversight of the judiciary, and supervision of the country's strategic direction in domestic and foreign affairs. Over time he consolidated the power of the Supreme Leader's office through alliances with clerical institutions, ideological organizations that supported the Islamic Republic, and security forces including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rule coincided with internal political unrest, disputes among factions within Iran's governing establishment, prolonged international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, and sustained criticism of Iran's record of human rights. Policies enforced under the Islamic Republic during his leadership included strict regulations on women's dress and conduct, enforcement of mandatory hijab laws, and the suppression of protest movements challenging those restrictions, including nationwide demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, which triggered months of protests across Iran challenging mandatory hijab laws and broader restrictions on women's rights under the Islamic Republic.[3][4]

In January 2026, nationwide demonstrations again erupted across Iran amid widespread opposition to the clerical government. Security forces under the authority of Khamenei responded with lethal force, deploying units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia against protesters in cities across the country. Independent investigations based on hospital records, eyewitness testimony, and burial data later concluded that tens of thousands of demonstrators were killed during the crackdown, with estimates exceeding 30,000 deaths nationwide. The violence represented one of the largest mass killings of protesters in the history of the Islamic Republic.[5][6]

By the end of Khamenei's rule, the office of the Supreme Leader had become the dominant institution within Iran's political structure, exercising decisive influence over both elected and unelected branches of government. The succession process that followed his death was overseen by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible under Iran's constitution for selecting the Supreme Leader, raising significant questions regarding the future direction of the Islamic Republic after more than three decades under Khamenei's leadership.[7][8]

## Contents

* 1 Consolidation of authority
* 2 Domestic policy
* 3 Economic influence
* 4 Foreign policy
* 4.1 Regional proxy network
* 4.2 Relations with Israel
* 4.3 Relations with the United States
* 4.4 Nuclear program and strategic deterrence
* 5 Human rights controversies
* 5.1 Treatment of homosexuals
* 6 Fatwas and religious rulings
* 7 Political crises
* 7.1 1999 student protests
* 7.2 2009 presidential election protests
* 7.3 Mahsa Amini protests
* 8 Public diplomacy
* 9 See also
* 10 References

## Consolidation of authority[edit | edit source]

Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader in June 1989 following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. His appointment occurred during a period of political uncertainty as Iran transitioned from the revolutionary era and the aftermath of the Iran–Iraq War. Constitutional amendments adopted later that year strengthened the authority of the Supreme Leader and removed the earlier requirement that the officeholder be recognized as a senior Shiite religious authority. These changes formalized the position as the central authority within the Iranian political system, granting the Supreme Leader command of the armed forces, influence over the judiciary, and supervisory authority over key state institutions.[9][10]

During the early years of his leadership, Khamenei consolidated influence through alliances with clerical institutions and political networks that supported the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic. Among the most significant of these organizations was the Society of the Militant Clergy of Tehran (JRM), a clerical political organization that had supported the revolutionary movement led by Khomeini and later became influential within Iran's governing institutions. Members of the organization held positions in parliament, the judiciary, and other key bodies of government, reinforcing the political role of clerical networks within the structure of the Islamic Republic.[11][9]

A central pillar of Khamenei's authority was the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which maintained direct allegiance to the Supreme Leader and expanded its influence across the military, political, and economic spheres of the Iranian state. Originally created to defend the revolutionary government after 1979, the IRGC developed into one of the most powerful institutions in the country, overseeing military operations, intelligence activities, and major economic projects. Its leadership answered directly to the Supreme Leader, reinforcing the institutional authority of Khamenei within the national security structure of Iran.[12][9]

Control over institutions responsible for supervising elections further strengthened the authority of the Supreme Leader. Bodies such as the Guardian Council possessed the power to review legislation and approve or disqualify candidates seeking public office, allowing the political system to restrict participation by individuals considered incompatible with the ideological principles of the Islamic Republic. Through appointments to key government posts and influence over these oversight bodies, Khamenei consolidated a governing structure in which the Supreme Leader exercised decisive authority over both elected and unelected branches of the Iranian state.[9][10]

## Domestic policy[edit | edit source]

Domestic governance under Khamenei was shaped by the ideological framework of the Islamic Republic and the doctrine of clerical rule known as velayat-e faqih, which placed ultimate political authority in the hands of a senior Islamic jurist. Although Iran maintained elected institutions such as the presidency and parliament, the Supreme Leader exercised final authority over the armed forces, judiciary, state broadcasting system, and key supervisory bodies. This structure allowed the office of the Supreme Leader to influence both elected and unelected institutions of government and to shape the ideological direction of the state.[13][14]

Social policy during Khamenei's leadership reflected the state's interpretation of Islamic law and the religious principles embedded in the constitution of the Islamic Republic. Laws regulating public behavior, gender interaction, and dress codes were enforced through state institutions including morality police units and security forces aligned with the government. Mandatory hijab requirements for women remained a central feature of these policies, and enforcement actions periodically led to public demonstrations and civil resistance movements across the country. In later years of Khamenei's rule, many Iranian women openly challenged compulsory dress laws despite the threat of arrest or prosecution.[4][3]

The enforcement of social regulations and political restrictions frequently led to periods of unrest throughout Khamenei's tenure. Major protest movements occurred during the student demonstrations of the late 1990s, the disputed presidential election of 2009, and the nationwide protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. These movements were typically met with strong responses from security institutions including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia, both of which played key roles in suppressing demonstrations and maintaining internal security.[13][3]

Large-scale demonstrations also erupted across Iran in January 2026, representing one of the most significant internal crises during the final months of Khamenei's leadership. Reports from medical personnel, hospital workers, and independent investigators indicated that security forces used live ammunition and other lethal force against protesters in multiple cities. Testimony compiled from networks of physicians across several provinces suggested that the number of people killed during the crackdown may have exceeded 30,000 nationwide, far surpassing official figures reported by Iranian authorities.[15]

## Economic influence[edit | edit source]

Economic institutions connected to the office of the Supreme Leader played an important role in Iran's political economy. Religious foundations and state-affiliated organizations controlled extensive financial assets and operated across sectors including construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. These entities were formally established to support charitable and social programs but also functioned as major economic actors within the Iranian economy.[12][9]

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps expanded its economic presence significantly during Khamenei's leadership. In addition to its military role, the organization became involved in major industrial and infrastructure projects and developed extensive holdings in sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications. Analysts frequently described the Guard's economic activities as an important source of political influence within Iran, linking security institutions with economic power.[12][10]

International sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program and regional activities had a substantial impact on the country's economy during Khamenei's rule. Sanctions targeting Iran's financial system, oil exports, and banking sector contributed to inflation, currency instability, and economic hardship for many Iranian citizens. Iranian authorities promoted domestic economic initiatives designed to reduce reliance on foreign trade, while negotiations with international partners periodically sought relief from sanctions imposed by Western governments.[16][9]

## Foreign policy[edit | edit source]

Foreign policy under Khamenei was shaped by the ideological principles of the Islamic Republic and by the doctrine that the Iranian revolution represented a broader movement intended to resist Western political influence in the Middle East. The constitution of the Islamic Republic states that the country’s foreign policy should support what it describes as the struggles of oppressed peoples against domination and preserve the independence of Muslim societies. During Khamenei’s leadership this framework translated into a strategy that emphasized opposition to the United States and Israel, the expansion of Iran’s regional influence, and support for allied movements across the Middle East.[14][13]

A central instrument of this policy was the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly its external operations branch known as the Quds Force. The organization played a major role in coordinating Iranian influence beyond the country’s borders and supported armed groups and allied political movements in several regional conflicts. Analysts and Western governments frequently described Iran’s network of regional partners as an important element of its strategic influence, while Iranian officials characterized these relationships as part of a defensive alliance intended to deter foreign intervention and protect allied governments.[12][10]

Relations between Iran and Israel remained among the most contentious aspects of Khamenei’s foreign policy. Iranian leaders repeatedly expressed opposition to the existence of the Israeli state and supported organizations that opposed Israeli policies in the region. Israeli officials and Western governments frequently accused Iran of sponsoring armed groups and contributing to regional instability, while Iranian leaders argued that their policies represented support for resistance movements opposing occupation and foreign influence in the Middle East.[14][17]

Tensions between Iran and the United States also remained a defining feature of the country’s foreign relations during Khamenei’s rule. The two countries severed diplomatic relations following the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, and subsequent decades were marked by economic sanctions, military confrontations, and disputes over Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiations between Iran and several world powers produced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, which limited aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, disagreements over regional policy, missile development, and nuclear activities continued to shape relations between Iran and Western governments throughout the final decades of Khamenei’s leadership.[16][13]

### Regional proxy network[edit | edit source]

During Khamenei’s leadership Iran developed a network of allied governments and armed organizations across the Middle East that expanded the country’s regional influence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, particularly its external operations branch known as the Quds Force, played a central role in coordinating these relationships. Analysts often described the network as part of Iran’s strategy of “forward defense,” which sought to deter adversaries and project power beyond Iran’s borders without relying solely on conventional military confrontation.[12][14]

Among the most prominent organizations associated with Iran’s regional strategy were Hezbollah in Lebanon and several militant groups operating in the Palestinian territories. Iranian officials frequently described these relationships as support for “resistance movements,” while critics argued that Iranian backing for armed organizations contributed to instability in several regional conflicts. The IRGC and its allies were also involved in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen during the 2010s and 2020s, where Iranian advisers and partner forces supported allied governments or movements aligned with Tehran’s strategic interests.[12][18]

### Relations with Israel[edit | edit source]

Relations between Iran and Israel remained among the most contentious elements of Khamenei’s foreign policy. Iranian leaders consistently expressed opposition to the Israeli state and supported organizations that opposed Israeli policies in the region. Khamenei repeatedly framed Israel as an illegitimate state and described the conflict with Israel as part of a broader struggle in the Middle East. Israeli officials and several Western governments accused Iran of sponsoring armed groups targeting Israel and destabilizing regional security.[14][17]

Tensions periodically escalated through proxy confrontations and military incidents involving Iranian-backed forces and Israeli operations targeting Iranian assets in the region. Israeli authorities frequently cited Iran’s missile development and support for militant organizations as major security threats, while Iranian officials described their policies as resistance against occupation and Western influence. These competing narratives contributed to an enduring strategic rivalry between the two countries throughout Khamenei’s tenure.[17][12]

### Relations with the United States[edit | edit source]

Relations between Iran and the United States remained adversarial during Khamenei’s leadership. Diplomatic ties had been severed following the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, when Iranian militants seized the United States embassy in Tehran and held American diplomats hostage for 444 days. Although the crisis occurred before Khamenei became Supreme Leader, it shaped the political environment of the Islamic Republic and contributed to decades of distrust between the two countries.[19][14]

Economic sanctions imposed by the United States became a defining feature of relations between the two countries during Khamenei’s rule. Sanctions targeting Iran’s banking sector, oil exports, and military programs significantly affected the Iranian economy and contributed to currency instability and inflation. Iranian leaders described the sanctions as economic warfare and sought to reduce dependence on foreign trade through domestic economic initiatives and closer ties with other international partners.[20][13]

### Nuclear program and strategic deterrence[edit | edit source]

Iran’s nuclear program became one of the most significant international issues during Khamenei’s leadership. Iranian authorities maintained that the program was intended for peaceful energy and scientific purposes, while several Western governments and international organizations expressed concern that the program could lead to the development of nuclear weapons capability. Negotiations between Iran and world powers produced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, an agreement that imposed restrictions on aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.[16][13]

Khamenei publicly supported the negotiations while also maintaining that Iran would resist external pressure on its defense and security policies. Iranian officials frequently emphasized that the country would continue developing its missile capabilities and maintaining strategic alliances in the region regardless of diplomatic agreements related to nuclear activities.[10]

## Human rights controversies[edit | edit source]

Human rights conditions in Iran during Khamenei’s leadership were frequently criticized by international organizations, foreign governments, and human rights advocates. Reports documented restrictions on political dissent, limitations on freedom of expression, and the detention of journalists, activists, and political opponents. Iranian authorities argued that these measures were necessary to preserve national security and protect the political system established after the 1979 revolution.[21][22]

Iranian law criminalized same-sex relationships and imposed severe penalties under the country’s penal code, which is based in part on interpretations of Islamic law. Human rights organizations reported that individuals accused of homosexuality faced imprisonment and, in some cases, capital punishment. Iranian authorities maintained that their legal system reflected religious and cultural values embedded in the Islamic Republic’s constitutional framework.[21][22]

Restrictions on women’s rights also remained a major point of contention. Laws governing dress codes, family law, and public conduct limited aspects of women’s participation in public life, while activists inside and outside Iran criticized these policies as discriminatory. Protests over compulsory hijab rules and broader social restrictions became a recurring feature of domestic unrest during Khamenei’s leadership.[4][3]

Large-scale protest movements periodically erupted throughout Khamenei’s tenure and were frequently met with strong responses from security institutions including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia. Demonstrations occurred in several waves, including the disputed presidential election protests of 2009 and nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. In January 2026, widespread demonstrations across Iran were suppressed by security forces in a crackdown that independent investigators and medical networks estimated may have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths nationwide.[15][4]

### Treatment of homosexuals[edit | edit source]

Iranian law criminalizes same-sex sexual relations under provisions of the Islamic Penal Code derived from interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence. The legal framework of the Islamic Republic classifies sexual relations between men as a serious criminal offense that may carry severe penalties, including corporal punishment and capital punishment in certain circumstances. Human rights organizations and international observers have reported that individuals accused of homosexual conduct have faced prosecution and imprisonment under these laws.[23][24]

Executions related to charges involving same-sex conduct have been reported by human rights organizations and international media, although Iranian authorities often frame such prosecutions under broader criminal charges including rape or other sexual offenses. Critics argue that the legal structure allows authorities to impose severe punishments against individuals based on sexual orientation, while Iranian officials maintain that the laws reflect the country’s religious and cultural principles rooted in the legal framework of the Islamic Republic.[24][23]

Iran has also attracted international attention for its unusual legal distinction between homosexuality and gender transition. While same-sex relationships are criminalized, gender reassignment surgery is legally permitted and in some cases subsidized by the state. Analysts and human rights advocates have argued that this policy has created pressure on some individuals to pursue gender transition in order to avoid criminal penalties associated with homosexual relationships.[23][24]

## Fatwas and religious rulings[edit | edit source]

As Supreme Leader, Khamenei exercised both political authority and religious authority within the Islamic Republic. In addition to directing state policy, he issued religious rulings known as fatwas, which are legal opinions under Islamic jurisprudence that guide the conduct of believers. Within Iran’s political system, such rulings could influence government policy when they addressed matters of national law, public morality, or security policy. Khamenei’s religious authority was therefore intertwined with the constitutional doctrine of velayat-e faqih, which places ultimate political authority in the hands of a senior Islamic jurist.[25][13]

One of the most widely cited rulings attributed to Khamenei concerned nuclear weapons. Iranian officials repeatedly stated that the Supreme Leader had issued a religious ruling declaring the production and use of nuclear weapons forbidden under Islamic law. Iranian authorities cited this ruling as evidence that the country’s nuclear program was intended solely for civilian purposes. Western governments and analysts often questioned the legal status and practical implications of the ruling, noting that the fatwa was presented primarily through public statements rather than a formal written decree.[26][13]

Khamenei also issued religious guidance concerning social conduct and public morality. Iranian law regulating dress codes, gender interaction, and social behavior reflected interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence endorsed by the clerical leadership of the Islamic Republic. These rulings were often enforced through state institutions including the judiciary and security forces responsible for implementing moral regulations and other provisions derived from the country’s legal framework.[22][21]

Religious rulings issued by the Supreme Leader were also used to frame political issues within a broader ideological narrative. Statements from Khamenei frequently portrayed global political conflicts as struggles between Islamic societies and Western political dominance, reinforcing the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic and its opposition to foreign influence in the region.[14][22]

## Political crises[edit | edit source]

Several major political crises occurred during Khamenei’s tenure as Supreme Leader, reflecting tensions between the governing structure of the Islamic Republic and segments of Iranian society seeking political reform or expanded civil liberties. These episodes often involved mass demonstrations and were typically met with strong responses from the country’s security institutions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia.[13][12]

### 1999 student protests[edit | edit source]

One of the earliest major challenges to the government during Khamenei’s leadership occurred in 1999, when student demonstrations erupted in Tehran and several other cities following the closure of a reformist newspaper. The protests quickly expanded into broader demonstrations calling for political reform and greater civil liberties. Security forces responded by dispersing demonstrators and arresting large numbers of participants. The unrest marked one of the first significant confrontations between reform-oriented movements and the political structure of the Islamic Republic after the revolution.[27][13]

### 2009 presidential election protests[edit | edit source]

The disputed Iranian presidential election of 2009 produced one of the largest protest movements since the 1979 revolution. Demonstrations began after opposition supporters alleged that the official results of the election had been manipulated. Millions of Iranians participated in demonstrations in Tehran and other cities, which became known internationally as the Green Movement. The government responded with mass arrests and security operations aimed at restoring control, and the protests were eventually suppressed.[28][13]

### Mahsa Amini protests[edit | edit source]

Nationwide demonstrations again erupted in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who had been detained by the country’s morality police for allegedly violating compulsory hijab regulations. The incident sparked widespread protests across Iran, with demonstrators calling for broader political and social reforms. The protests represented one of the most sustained challenges to the authority of the Islamic Republic during Khamenei’s rule.[3][4]

## Public diplomacy[edit | edit source]

Public messaging and ideological communication formed an important component of Khamenei’s leadership. As Supreme Leader he frequently delivered speeches addressing domestic audiences, religious gatherings, and international issues. These speeches were widely disseminated through Iran’s state broadcasting system and through official government media outlets. Khamenei’s public statements often framed political conflicts in ideological terms, presenting the Islamic Republic as part of a broader struggle against Western political influence and what he described as global injustice directed toward Muslim societies.[14][29]

Khamenei also sought to cultivate support among audiences beyond Iran through statements directed at Muslim communities and political movements in other countries. Iranian officials described these efforts as part of the country’s broader foreign policy of supporting what they termed “resistance” against foreign domination. Critics, particularly in Western governments, argued that Iranian messaging often encouraged confrontation with Western political influence and reinforced ideological divisions within the region.[12][17]

Iran’s state media system played a central role in amplifying these messages. Television networks, newspapers, and official online platforms regularly broadcast speeches and statements from the Supreme Leader. Through these channels, the government promoted narratives emphasizing national independence, resistance to foreign pressure, and the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.[29][13]

Khamenei also used public appearances, religious sermons, and cultural messaging to reinforce the ideological identity of the Islamic Republic. These communications often connected contemporary political conflicts with historical narratives drawn from Islamic history and the Iranian revolution, portraying the state as part of a continuing struggle to defend religious governance and national sovereignty.[14][29]

## See also[edit | edit source]

* Ali Khamenei
* 1989 Iranian Supreme Leader election
* Supreme Leader of Iran
* Islamic Republic of Iran
* Iranian Revolution
* Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
* Iran–Israel relations
* Iran–United States relations

* v
* t
* e

Islamism

| Outline|

* Islamism
* Qutbism
* Salafism
* Salafi jihadism
* Shia Islamism

|

Concepts|

* Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists
* Islamic democracy
* Islamic socialism
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* Islamic monarchy
* Islamic republic
* Islamistan
* Islamization
* of knowledge
* Pan-Islamism
* Post-Islamism
* Sharia
* Shura
* Turkish model
* Two-nation theory
* Ummah

Movements|

| Socio-political|

* Deobandi
* Hizb ut-Tahrir
* in Britain
* in Central Asia
* Islamic Defenders Front
* Jamaat-e-Islami
* Millî Görüş
* Muslim Brotherhood
* in Egypt
* in Syria

|

Political parties|

* Freedom and Justice Party
* Green Algeria Alliance
* Ennahda
* Hadas
* Hezbollah
* Islamic Salvation Front
* Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
* Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
* Jamiat-e Islami
* Justice and Construction Party
* Justice and Development Party (Morocco)
* National Congress
* National Iraqi Alliance
* Malaysian Islamic Party
* Prosperous Justice Party
* Al Wefaq
* Welfare Party
* Fatah Alliance
* State of Law Coalition
* Islamic Action Front

Related|

* Ennahda
* Islamic modernism

Political leaders

* Muhammad Abduh
* Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī
* Qazi Hussain Ahmad
* Muhammad Asad
* Hassan al-Banna
* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
* Necmettin Erbakan
* Muammar Gaddafi
* Rached Ghannouchi
* Safwat Hegazi
* Muhammad Iqbal
* Alija Izetbegović
* Ali Khamenei
* Ruhollah Khomeini
* Abul A'la Maududi
* Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi
* Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani
* Yusuf al-Qaradawi
* Sayyid Qutb
* Tariq Ramadan
* Ata Abu Rashta
* Rashid Rida
* Navvab Safavi
* Ali Shariati
* Haji Shariatullah
* Hassan Al-Turabi
* Malcolm X
* Ahmed Yassin
* Zia-ul-Haq
* Ziaur Rahman
* Muhammad Rizieq Shihab

Salafi movement

| Movements|

| Scholastic|

* Ahl-i Hadith
* Madkhalism
* Sahwa movement
* Wahhabism

|

Political|

* Al Asalah
* Authenticity Party
* Al-Islah
* Al-Nour Party
* Islamist Bloc
* People Party
* Young Kashgar Party

Major figures|

* Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
* Nasiruddin Albani
* Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz
* Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi'i
* Safar al-Hawali
* Rabee al-Madkhali
* Muhammad Al-Munajjid
* Zakir Naik
* Salman al-Ouda
* Ali al-Tamimi
* Ibn al-Uthaymeen

Related|

* International propagation of Salafism and Wahhabism
* Islamic religious police
* Petro-Islam
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Militant Islamism/Jihadism

| Ideology|

* Qutbism
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|

Movements|

* Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
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* MENA region
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* Abu Sayyaf
* Sub-Saharan Africa
* Boko Haram
* al-Shabaab
* al-Qaeda
* in the Arabian Peninsula
* in Iraq
* in North Africa

Major figures|

* Anwar al-Awlaki
* Abdullah Yusuf Azzam
* Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
* Osama bin Laden
* Mullah Omar
* Juhayman al-Otaybi
* Omar Abdel-Rahman
* Ayman al-Zawahiri

Related|

* Islam and violence
* Islamic extremism
* Islamic terrorism
* Jihad
* Slavery
* Talibanization

Other topics

| Texts|

* Reconstruction (Iqbal, 1930s)
* Forty Hadith (Khomeini, 1940)
* Principles (Asad, 1961)
* Milestones (Qutb, 1964)
* Islamic Government (Khomeini, 1970)
* Islamic Declaration (Izetbegović, 1969-1970)
* The Green Book (Gaddafi, 1975)

|

Historical
events|

* Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization
* Iranian Revolution
* Grand Mosque seizure
* Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
* Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
* Popular Arab and Islamic Congress
* Algerian Civil War
* Faith campaign
* September 11 attacks
* War on terror
* Arab Spring
* Arab Winter

Influences|

* Anti-imperialism
* Anti-Zionism
* Contemporary Islamic philosophy
* Islamic response to modernity
* Islamic revival

by region|

* Balkans
* Gaza Strip
* United Kingdom

Related topics|

* Criticism
* Political aspects of Islam
* Political Islam

* Islam in South Asia * North Africa

* v
* t
* e

Ali Khamenei

Politics|

* Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly
* Assassination attempt
* October 1981 Iranian presidential election
* 1985 Iranian presidential election
* Supreme Leader of Iran
* Statement of 14 Political Activists
* Executive Order 13876

File:Ali Khamenei receives Heinz Fischer in his house (6).jpg

Policies|

* Fatwa against nuclear weapons
* Islamic clerics in politics
* Iran Slogan of the Year
* Second Phase of the Revolution
* Sex segregation
* Anti-Zionism
* 8-Article Command to the Chiefs of Branches

Books and messages|

* A 250 Years Old Person
* An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran
* Four main books of Biographical-Evaluation
* Ghena
* Palestine
* Ruhe-Tawhid, Nafye Obudiate GheireKhoda
* Sharh-e Esm
* Fatwa against insulting revered Sunni figures
* To the Youth in Europe and North America
* To the Youth in Western Countries

Family|

* Father: Javad Khamenei
* Mother: Khadijeh Mirdamadi
* Siblings:
* Alaviye
* Batoul
* Fatemeh Soltan
* Mohammad
* Badri
* Hadi
* Mohammad Hassan
* Spouse: Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh
* Sons: Mostafa
* Mojtaba
* Masoud (aka Mohsen)
* Meysam
* Daughters:
* Hoda
* Boshra
* Co-fathers-in-law:
* Azizollah Khoshvaght
* Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel
* Mohsen Kharazi
* Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani
* Brother-in-law:
* Ali Tehrani

Category Category:Ali Khamenei

* v
* t
* e

Current heads of state of republics

Africa|

* File:Flag of Algeria.svg Abdelmadjid Tebboune
* File:Flag of Angola.svg João Lourenço
* File:Flag of Benin.svg Patrice Talon
* File:Flag of Botswana.svg Mokgweetsi Masisi
* File:Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Ibrahim Traoré*
* File:Flag of Burundi.svg Évariste Ndayishimiye
* File:Flag of Cameroon.svg Paul Biya
* File:Flag of Cape Verde.svg José Maria Neves
* File:Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Faustin-Archange Touadéra
* File:Flag of Chad.svg Mahamat Déby*
* File:Flag of the Comoros.svg Azali Assoumani
* File:Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Félix Tshisekedi
* File:Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg Denis Sassou Nguesso
* File:Flag of Djibouti.svg Ismaïl Omar Guelleh
* File:Flag of Egypt.svg Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
* File:Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
* File:Flag of Eritrea.svg Isaias Afwerki
* File:Flag of Ethiopia.svg Sahle-Work Zewde
* File:Flag of Gabon.svg Ali Bongo Ondimba
* File:Flag of The Gambia.svg Adama Barrow
* File:Flag of Ghana.svg Nana Akufo-Addo
* File:Flag of Guinea.svg Mamady Doumbouya*
* File:Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Umaro Sissoco Embaló
* File:Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg Alassane Ouattara
* File:Flag of Kenya.svg William Ruto
* File:Flag of Liberia.svg George Weah
* File:Flag of Libya.svg Mohamed al-Menfi
* File:Flag of Madagascar.svg Andry Rajoelina
* File:Flag of Malawi.svg Lazarus Chakwera
* File:Flag of Mali.svg Assimi Goïta*
* File:Flag of Mauritania.svg Mohamed Ould Ghazouani
* File:Flag of Mauritius.svg Prithvirajsing Roopun
* File:Flag of Mozambique.svg Filipe Nyusi
* File:Flag of Namibia.svg Hage Geingob
* File:Flag of Niger.svg Mohamed Bazoum
* File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Muhammadu Buhari
* File:Flag of Rwanda.svg Paul Kagame
* File:Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg Brahim Ghali
* File:Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg Carlos Vila Nova
* File:Flag of Senegal.svg Macky Sall
* File:Flag of Seychelles.svg Wavel Ramkalawan
* File:Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Julius Maada Bio
* File:Flag of Somaliland.svg Muse Bihi Abdi
* File:Flag of Somalia.svg Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Cyril Ramaphosa
* File:Flag of South Sudan.svg Salva Kiir Mayardit
* File:Flag of Sudan.svg Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
* File:Flag of Tanzania.svg Samia Suluhu Hassan
* File:Flag of Togo.svg Faure Gnassingbé
* File:Flag of Tunisia.svg Kais Saied
* File:Flag of Uganda.svg Yoweri Museveni
* File:Flag of Zambia.svg Hakainde Hichilema
* File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Emmerson Mnangagwa

Asia|

* File:Flag of Artsakh.svg Arayik Harutyunyan
* File:Flag of Bangladesh.svg Abdul Hamid
* File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xi Jinping
* File:Flag of East Timor.svg José Ramos-Horta
* File:Flag of India.svg Droupadi Murmu
* File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Joko Widodo
* File:Flag of Iran.svg Ali Khamenei
* File:Flag of Iraq.svg Abdul Latif Rashid
* File:Flag of Israel.svg Isaac Herzog
* File:Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
* File:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Sadyr Japarov
* File:Flag of Laos.svg Thongloun Sisoulith
* File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Michel Aoun
* File:Flag of Maldives.svg Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
* File:Flag of Mongolia.svg Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
* File:Flag of Myanmar.svg Myint Swe*
* File:Flag of Nepal.svg Bidya Devi Bhandari
* File:Flag of North Korea.svg Kim Jong-un
* File:Flag of Pakistan.svg Arif Alvi
* File:Flag of Palestine.svg Mahmoud Abbas
* File:Flag of the Philippines.svg Bongbong Marcos
* File:Flag of Singapore.svg Halimah Yacob
* File:Flag of South Korea.svg Yoon Suk-yeol
* File:Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Ranil Wickremesinghe
* File:Flag of Syria.svg Bashar al-Assad
* File:Flag of the Republic of China.svg Tsai Ing-wen
* File:Flag of Tajikistan.svg Emomali Rahmon
* File:Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Serdar Berdimuhamedow
* File:Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Shavkat Mirziyoyev
* File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Nguyễn Xuân Phúc
* File:Flag of Yemen.svg Rashad al-Alimi*

Europe|

* File:Flag of Albania.svg Bajram Begaj
* File:Flag of Armenia.svg Vahagn Khachaturyan
* File:Flag of Austria.svg Alexander Van der Bellen
* File:Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Ilham Aliyev
* File:Flag of Belarus.svg Alexander Lukashenko
* File:Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Christian Schmidt, Milorad Dodik, Šefik Džaferović and Željko Komšić
* File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Rumen Radev
* File:Flag of Croatia.svg Zoran Milanović
* File:Flag of Cyprus.svg Nicos Anastasiades
* File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Miloš Zeman
* File:Flag of Estonia.svg Alar Karis
* File:Flag of Finland.svg Sauli Niinistö
* File:Flag of France.svg Emmanuel Macron
* File:Flag of Georgia.svg Salome Zourabichvili
* File:Flag of Germany.svg Frank-Walter Steinmeier
* File:Flag of Greece.svg Katerina Sakellaropoulou
* File:Flag of Hungary.svg Katalin Novák
* File:Flag of Iceland.svg Guðni Th. Jóhannesson
* File:Flag of Ireland.svg Michael D. Higgins
* File:Flag of Italy.svg Sergio Mattarella
* File:Flag of Kosovo.svg Vjosa Osmani
* File:Flag of Latvia.svg Egils Levits
* File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Gitanas Nausėda
* File:Flag of Malta.svg George Vella
* File:Flag of Moldova.svg Maia Sandu
* File:Flag of Montenegro.svg Milo Đukanović
* File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg Stevo Pendarovski
* File:Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg Ersin Tatar
* File:Flag of Poland.svg Andrzej Duda
* File:Flag of Portugal.svg Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
* File:Flag of Romania.svg Klaus Iohannis
* File:Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Putin
* File:Flag of San Marino.svg Maria Luisa Berti and Manuel Ciavatta
* File:Flag of Serbia.svg Aleksandar Vučić
* File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Zuzana Čaputová
* File:Flag of Slovenia.svg Borut Pahor
* File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Ignazio Cassis, Alain Berset, Guy Parmelin, Ueli Maurer, Simonetta Sommaruga, Viola Amherd and Karin Keller-Sutter
* File:Flag of Turkey.svg Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
* File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Volodymyr Zelenskyy

North America|

* File:Flag of Barbados.svg Sandra Mason
* File:Flag of Costa Rica.svg Rodrigo Chaves Robles
* File:Flag of Cuba.svg Miguel Díaz-Canel
* File:Flag of Dominica.svg Charles Savarin
* File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Luis Abinader
* File:Flag of El Salvador.svg Nayib Bukele
* File:Flag of Guatemala.svg Alejandro Giammattei
* File:Flag of Haiti.svg Ariel Henry*
* File:Flag of Honduras.svg Xiomara Castro
* File:Flag of Mexico.svg Andrés Manuel López Obrador
* File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg Daniel Ortega
* File:Flag of Panama.svg Laurentino Cortizo
* File:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Paula-Mae Weekes
* File:Flag of the United States.svg Joe Biden

Oceania|

* File:Flag of Fiji.svg Wiliame Katonivere
* File:Flag of Kiribati.svg Taneti Maamau
* File:Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg David Kabua
* File:Flag of Federated States of Micronesia.svg David Panuelo
* File:Flag of Nauru.svg Russ Kun
* File:Flag of Palau.svg Surangel Whipps Jr.
* File:Flag of Samoa.svg Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II
* File:Flag of Vanuatu.svg Nikenike Vurobaravu

South America|

* File:Flag of Argentina.svg Alberto Fernández
* File:Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Luis Arce
* File:Flag of Brazil.svg Jair Bolsonaro
* File:Flag of Chile.svg Gabriel Boric
* File:Flag of Colombia.svg Gustavo Petro
* File:Flag of Ecuador.svg Guillermo Lasso
* File:Flag of Guyana.svg Irfaan Ali
* File:Flag of Paraguay.svg Mario Abdo Benítez
* File:Flag of Peru.svg Pedro Castillo
* File:Flag of Suriname.svg Chan Santokhi
* File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Luis Lacalle Pou
* File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Nicolás Maduro

* v
* t
* e

File:Flag of Iran.svg Current Commanders of Iranian Armed Forces

Commander-in-Chief Ali Khamenei

General Staff|

* Mohammad Bagheri
* Chief of Staff

Army|

* Abdolrahim Mousavi
* Commander-in-Chief
* Kioumars Heydari
* Ground Force
* Alireza Sabahifard
* Air Defense
* Hamid Vahedi
* Air Force
* Shahram Irani
* Navy

Revolutionary Guards|

* Hossein Salami
* Commander-in-Chief
* Mohammad Pakpour
* Ground Force
* Gholamreza Soleimani
* Basij
* Esmail Ghaani
* Quds Force
* Amir Ali Hajizadeh
* Aerospace Force
* Alireza Tangsiri
* Navy

Police|

* Hossein Ashtari
* Commander

Category Category

* v
* t
* e

Commanders-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces

Qajar Iran|

* Mozaffar ad-Din Shah (1906–07)
* Mohammad Ali Shah (1907–09)
* Alireza Khan (1909–10)
* Abolqasem Khan (1910–14)
* Ahmad Shah (1914–25)
* Reza Khan (1925)

Pahlavi Iran|

* Reza Shah (1925–41)
* Mohammad Reza Shah (1941–52)
* Mosaddegh (1952–53)
* Mohammad Reza Shah (1953–79)

Islamic Republic|

* Banisadr (1980–81)
* Khomeini (1981–89)
* Khamenei (1989–present)

Italics indicate interim officeholder

* v
* t
* e

Heads of state of OPEC member states

* Tebboune (Algeria)
* Lourenço (Angola)
* Obiang (Equatorial Guinea)
* Bongo (Gabon)
* Khamenei (Iran)
* Rashid (Iraq)
* Nawaf (Kuwait)
* al-Menfi (Libya)
* Buhari (Nigeria)
* Sassou Nguesso (Republic of the Congo)
* Salman (Saudi Arabia)
* Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)
* Maduro (Venezuela)

* v
* t
* e

File:Flag of Iran.svg Presidents of Iran (list)

* Abolhassan Banisadr (1980–1981)
* Mohammad-Ali Rajai (1981)
* Ali Khamenei (1981–1989)
* Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (1989–1997)
* Mohammad Khatami (1997–2005)
* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005–2013)
* Hassan Rouhani (2013–2021)
* Ebrahim Raisi (2021–present)

File:Emblem of Iran.svg

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