Ayatollah Ali Khamenei significantly transformed Iran during his tenure as supreme leader for over three decades. He elevated the nation into a regional powerhouse, intensifying confrontations with Israel and the United States.
On Saturday, his funeral commenced, months after he was killed at the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran. Khamenei ascended to leadership following the 1989 death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who previously overthrew the shah and initiated governance by Shiite clerics. Tasked with transforming Khomeini’s revolutionary vision into state infrastructure, Khamenei, a less charismatic figure, focused on developing policies and strengthening state institutions.
During his rule, Khamenei supported multiple armed groups across the Middle East, advanced Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and suppressed numerous protest movements through severe measures. These confrontations with the U.S. and Israel garnered domestic support but also contributed to his eventual downfall. Under his leadership, Iran bolstered its military capabilities and established influential proxies.
After the 1980s conflict with Iraq, Khamenei prioritized shaping the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into a pivotal force supporting his governance. The Guard evolved into a significant military and business entity, exerting control over various Iranian economic sectors.
Khamenei’s strategy involved shifting Iran’s military focus from conventional warfare to supporting proxy groups, forming the “Axis of Resistance.” This alliance included backing the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, responsible for expelling Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in 2000, and engaging Israeli troops in subsequent conflicts.
Iran extended support to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who captured the capital in 2014 and maintained control amidst a prolonged war. Additionally, Iran aided the Palestinian militant group Hamas, engaged in struggles in Gaza, and backed militias combatting U.S. forces in Iraq.
However, the Middle East conflicts initiated by Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023 weakened the “Axis of Resistance,” leaving Hamas and Hezbollah diminished.
Iran’s Pursuit of Nuclear Capabilities
Khamenei steadfastly defended Iran’s right to a nuclear program, disregarding U.N. sanctions. He emphasized developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while issuing religious decrees opposing nuclear weapons. The 2015 nuclear agreement triggered a reduction in Iran’s uranium stockpile and enrichment in exchange for lifted sanctions. Nonetheless, post-2018—when the U.S. exited the deal—Iran amassed uranium approaching weapon-grade levels, prompting concerns from Israel and U.S. officials about potential weaponization.
Bombing campaigns in 2025 by the U.S. and Israel, alongside ongoing warfare, targeted Iran’s nuclear initiatives.
Protests and Political Repression
Khamenei’s administration encountered repeated widespread protests and repression due to political constraints and economic instability. In 2009, demonstrations erupted over alleged election fraud, with security forces causing numerous deaths and arrests. Economic dissatisfaction instigated protests in 2017, escalating in 2019 when fuel prices climbed.
According to activists, a crackdown claimed over 300 lives.
Protests reignited in 2022 following Mahsa Amini’s detention and subsequent death. Security forces’ harsh response led to over 500 fatalities and mass arrests. Subsequently, in late 2025, large-scale economic protests occurred as hundreds of thousands demanded the Islamic Republic’s dissolution. Activists reported a staggering 7,000 deaths amid government suppression.
Uncertain Future Following Khamenei’s Death
Khamenei’s passing raises uncertainty regarding the Islamic Republic’s future. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, was designated to succeed him. Yet, reports suggest he was injured in strikes that killed his father, resulting in minimal public appearances.
Despite calls from former U.S. President Trump for Iranians to “take over your government,” no significant uprising has materialized. Hard-liners continue to rally nightly in Tehran.
The post-burial events might heavily depend on the Revolutionary Guard’s actions. Its readiness to exert extreme force remains crucial for maintaining authority.