Who Is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader

The Supreme Leader's Authority

• 💡 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, holding immense power as the second person in this role after the Iranian Revolution.
• 🎯 He possesses veto power over all government decisions, including those from the parliament, judiciary, and army, effectively controlling all branches.
• 🔑 Khamenei is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the military, and the highest religious authority in Iran, also deciding who can be a candidate in elections.

Rise to Power

• 🌱 Born in Mashhad in 1939 into a religious family, he was recognized as an 'aalim' by age 11.
• ⛓️ Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he was a staunch critic of the Shah of Iran, enduring six arrests, imprisonment, and torture.
• 🚀 After the revolution, he was appointed Imam of Friday prayers in Tehran by Ayatollah Khomeini, became President of Iran in 1981, and succeeded Khomeini as Supreme Leader in 1989.

Assassination Plot & Tensions

• ⚠️ Amidst recent tensions between Iran and Israel, a revelation emerged about an Israeli plan to assassinate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• 🚫 This plot was reportedly cancelled by US President Donald Trump, who deemed it "not a good idea."

Personal Life and Family

• 🏠 Khamenei reportedly lives a simple life in a Tehran compound, enjoying gardening, poetry, and smoking.
• 🤕 He survived a terrorist attack in 1980 which affected his right arm.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He has six children: four sons (Mujtaba, Mustafa, Masood, Maisam) and two daughters (Bushra, Huda), with some involved in religious or political circles.

Succession Speculation

• 👑 Mujtaba Khamenei, his most influential son, is believed to be a potential next Supreme Leader.
• 📚 Mujtaba received education from High School and Madrasa of Kumbh and has held significant influence in the Ayatollah's office since the 2000s.
• ❓ The question of whether Mujtaba will reach his father's throne remains open.