{"id":19254,"date":"2020-10-24T10:56:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-24T08:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=19254"},"modified":"2026-07-12T11:11:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:11:33","slug":"who-was-ali-khamenei-the-former-supreme-leader-of-irans-regime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/articles\/2020\/10\/who-was-ali-khamenei-the-former-supreme-leader-of-irans-regime\/19254\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Was Ali Khamenei, the Former Supreme Leader of Iran\u2019s Regime?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Ali
Ali Khamenei was the former Supreme Leader of the mullahs\u2019 regime in Iran.<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ali Khamenei was the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1989 until the end of his rule. For more than three decades, he stood at the top of the regime\u2019s power structure, controlling its most important institutions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC<\/a>), security forces, judiciary, and foreign policy apparatus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his leadership, the institution of the Supreme Leader became the center of political, military, and economic power in Iran. His rule was marked by the suppression of dissent, expansion of regional terrorism, and the creation of a vast network of institutions under his direct or indirect control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Assembly of Experts to Supreme Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Khamenei was born in Mashhad in 1939 and entered politics through his religious and revolutionary activities before the 1979 revolution. After the establishment of the Islamic Republic, he held several key positions, including the presidency of Iran from 1981 to 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, the Assembly of Experts selected Khamenei as the regime\u2019s Supreme Leader. Although he initially lacked the religious status of his predecessor, he gradually consolidated power by strengthening his control over the IRGC, intelligence organizations, and state institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne should weep tears of blood to even consider me for leadership.\u201d
\u2014 Ali Khamenei, exactly 37 years ago, right after Khomeini\u2019s death, just before becoming Supreme Leader.
He is gone now\u2026 but the scars of those \u201ctears of blood\u201d remain on Iran.pic.twitter.com\/lVx4f6ZlEE<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) June 5, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>