Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is facing what many are calling the most dangerous challenge of his more than three-decade rule.
After crushing every internal and external threat for years, Khamenei now finds himself staring down a storm that could reshape Iran’s future, and his legacy.
Israel’s Air Campaign and Khamenei’s Dilemma
At 86 years old, Khamenei’s position has never been more precarious. Israel’s military has taken control of Iran’s skies, hitting key military leaders and nuclear sites in a relentless air campaign. The situation escalated even further when Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, declared that Khamenei “cannot continue to exist.” It’s a direct threat that puts the supreme leader’s own life at risk.
Khamenei has two options, both dangerous. He can order stronger retaliation against Israel and risk even heavier Israeli strikes. Or he can seek diplomacy, which may force Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions, ambitions he’s pushed for years as a cornerstone of Iranian policy. In a video address this week, Khamenei didn’t sound like a man looking to compromise. He vowed that “the Iranian nation is not one to surrender” and warned that U.S. involvement would bring “irreparable damage” to America.
How Khamenei Shaped the Islamic Republic
When Khamenei took power in 1989, few thought he could match the force of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei lacked the top-tier clerical credentials and fiery presence of his predecessor. But Khamenei went on to rule three times as long and arguably left a deeper mark on Iran.
He built a system where Shiite clerics held ultimate power and elevated the Revolutionary Guard into Iran’s main military and political force. The Guard, under his leadership, took charge of Iran’s missile program and formed the Quds Force, which helped build Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”, a ”network of allies from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Houthis in Yemen. Khamenei also let the Guard expand into business, making it a major economic player in Iran.
Crushing Protests and Domestic Challenges
Khamenei didn’t just face foreign enemies. At home, he put down several reform movements and waves of protests. Reformers once held the presidency and parliament but found their efforts blocked by unelected religious bodies loyal to Khamenei. Protesters who took to the streets in 2009, 2017, 2019, and 2022 were met with violence. In the 2022 unrest after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, hundreds were killed, and many reported torture or worse while imprisoned.
Despite these crackdowns, the protests highlighted deep public anger over corruption, clerical rule, and economic hardships. Khamenei’s government sometimes responded by easing up on strict social rules, but it wasn’t enough to silence dissent.
The Rise and Fall of Regional Power
Under Khamenei, Iran emerged from the wreckage of its 1980s war with Iraq to become a key power in the region. The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 gave Iran a major opening. Iran-backed politicians and militias rose to power in Baghdad, helping Iran spread its influence. Khamenei’s Axis of Resistance at its peak included Syria’s Assad regime, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
But that network is crumbling fast. Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel triggered massive Israeli retaliation that has devastated Gaza and crippled Hamas. Hezbollah suffered major blows from Israeli strikes and shocking sabotage. The biggest loss came in December 2024, when Sunni rebels captured Damascus and ousted Bashar Assad, removing a key ally and leaving Syria hostile to Iran.
What’s Next for Khamenei?
Now, Khamenei’s decades-long project is falling apart. His Axis of Resistance is weaker than ever, and Israel has shifted from containing Iran’s allies to trying to destroy them outright. Every move Khamenei makes now will decide not only Iran’s path, but also how history remembers him, as the leader who expanded Iran’s power or the one who lost it all.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
