Ali Khamenei
Ali Khamenei was Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, having previously served as President (1981-1989). As Supreme Leader he held ultimate authority over state, military, and religious affairs, overseeing Iran's nuclear programme and its proxy network across the region, until he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran on 28 February 2026 — the opening act of the 2026 Israel-US-Iran war. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was elected to succeed him on 8 March 2026.
- Lived: 1939 CE – 2026 CE
- Nationality: Iranian
- Roles: Supreme Leader (1989-2026), cleric
