Ali Khamenei: From a religious student to the absolute ruler of Iran

Ali Khamenei is not only Iran’s highest religious leader but also the person who controls the entire political and military apparatus of the country. Since 1989, when he succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini, he has maintained nearly absolute influence for over three decades, shaping all major decisions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Origin from a fallen family and a rigorous educational journey

Ali Khamenei was born in 1939 in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, into a poor family with a deep religious tradition. His father – a humble Islamic cleric – taught his children to live simply, accepting whatever life brings. Meals consisted only of bread and raisins, and the house was no larger than 65 square meters – this is how he recalls his childhood.

From the age of four, Khamenei began studying the Qur’an at traditional maktab schools. Within five years, he completed intermediate level and specialized in logic, philosophy, and Islamic law. At 18, he continued at the highest levels at the theological centers in Qom, where he became a student of the most renowned grand clerics.

In 1957, he traveled to Najaf (Iraq) – the legendary Shia theological center – to continue his studies. Although he had opportunities to stay with famous teachers, he decided to return to Iran following his father’s arrangements. From 1958 to 1964, under the guidance of prominent grand clerics such as Khomeini, Borujerdi, and other religious figures, Khamenei formed a very solid political ideological foundation.

Absolute loyalty and the path against the monarchy

From 1962, Ali Khamenei officially joined the opposition movement led by Khomeini to oppose the monarchy of King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. During these years, Khamenei became an unwavering follower, believing that all his ideals stemmed from the revolutionary Islamic thought initiated by Khomeini.

For 17 years from 1962 to 1979, Khamenei endured arrests, torture, and imprisonment for revolutionary activities. However, he never wavered in his chosen path. This steadfastness not only earned Khomeini’s trust but also built a reputation for unwavering loyalty – a trait that would help him overcome power struggles later.

From the 1979 revolution to the position of President – Calculated steps

After the monarchy was overthrown, Khomeini quickly appointed Khamenei to the Revolutionary Council, assigning him roles in the Ministry of Defense and key responsibilities in building the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – an independent military organization with enormous power.

In 1981, Khamenei was seriously injured in a bombing at a mosque in Tehran, which left his right arm paralyzed permanently. Just two months later, President Mohammad-Ali Rajai was mysteriously assassinated, and Khamenei was elected as his replacement. Although the presidency at that time was mostly ceremonial, Khamenei used this position to build influence, often clashing with Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi over overly ambitious reform goals.

Why was Ali Khamenei chosen instead of Montazeri?

In the 1980s, Khomeini designated Hussein-Ali Montazeri as his successor to the Grand Ayatollah. Khomeini called Montazeri “the sweet fruit of my life” and entrusted him with important responsibilities. However, from 1986, Montazeri began publicly criticizing the foundations of the Islamic Republic, supporting more open and moderate policies.

This difference led to ongoing tensions. In March 1989, while Khomeini was still alive, he revoked Montazeri’s succession rights. Montazeri’s portraits were publicly removed as well. This collapse created a vacuum for another candidate to develop.

After Khomeini’s death in June 1989, the Assembly of Experts – an organization of clerics – elected Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader. Although Khamenei had not yet reached the level of marja-e taqlid (the highest religious authority), Iran’s constitution was quickly amended to require only that the leader possess “Islamic knowledge.” Upon taking power, Khamenei was promoted from Hojjat al-Islam to Ayatollah – a symbol of power that needs no further explanation.

Hardline policies and absolute control

Since serving as President, Ali Khamenei has established a confrontational diplomacy, especially with the US and the West. He declared his determination to eliminate “liberalism and those influenced by America” from Iran.

Over 36 years in power, Khamenei has demonstrated absolute control over each president. When Mohammad Khatami (1997–2005) attempted reforms and rapprochement with the West, Khamenei obstructed many of his initiatives. With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, although initially seeming close, conflicts arose as Ahmadinejad sought to expand personal power. The controversial re-election in 2009 led to the largest protests since 1979 – Khamenei ordered a harsh crackdown, resulting in dozens of deaths.

With Hassan Rouhani (2013–2021), although Khamenei allowed Rouhani to reach a nuclear deal in 2015, when the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, Khamenei bluntly stated: “I warned from the beginning – do not trust America.”

Regarding Israel, Khamenei maintains an uncompromising stance, calling the country a “cancerous tumor that must be removed” from the region. After the US drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, he promised a “brutal” revenge, although ultimately the retaliation was symbolic.

The big question: Who will succeed Ali Khamenei?

Currently, Ali Khamenei is 87 years old and has experienced health issues. Iran’s future – specifically who will take power after he passes away – is a topic of deep concern both domestically and internationally.

According to plan, the successor will be chosen by the Assembly of Experts – a body of 88 Islamic clerics elected by the Iranian people every eight years. However, to run for office, candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council (controlled by the Supreme Leader). This ensures that only those loyal to the system can participate. Once elected, members of the Assembly of Experts will oversee the activities of the Supreme Leader, although in practice this is often just a formality.

The enormous power vacuum left by Ali Khamenei if he is no longer present will create significant instability amid increasing pressure from the US and Israel on Iran. Who will be able to fill this gap and maintain power as Khamenei has done remains a big unknown.