Key facts
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader for over three decades, has been laid to rest.
- Khamenei died in Israeli strikes on February 28.
- His funeral processions saw large turnouts of supporters, showcasing hard-line strength.
- Beneath the surface of support, deep discontent exists due to repression, sanctions, and economic issues.
- Khamenei's rule began in 1989, and he oversaw Iran's nuclear program and regional alliances.
- Recent protests, particularly the deadly crackdown in January, highlight widespread opposition.
- Iran has reached an interim deal with the U.S. following Khamenei's death and an assault.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader for over three decades, has been laid to rest following his death in Israeli strikes on February 28. His funeral processions in Tehran and other cities drew massive crowds of supporters, showcasing the strength of hard-liners within the Islamic Republic. However, beneath this display of support lies deep societal division, fueled by decades of repression, international sanctions, and economic mismanagement.
Khamenei's rule, which began in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was marked by the development of Iran's nuclear program, its missile arsenal, and a network of regional allies. He also consolidated hard-line clerical rule within Iran, largely neutralizing reform movements and empowering the Revolutionary Guard.
Significant protests, notably in 2009 and the deadliest crackdown in January, have highlighted widespread discontent. A senior aide to Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the country's severe polarization between hard-core supporters of the Islamic Republic and those seeking its downfall. Low turnout in recent presidential elections further indicated public disillusionment.
Despite the internal divisions and the recent crackdown, the Islamic Republic has survived Khamenei's death and a significant U.S.-Israeli assault. An interim deal has been reached with the U.S., promising potential sanctions relief in exchange for a final nuclear agreement, though its outcome remains uncertain.