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Ali Khamenei: Quick Facts

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News •

Iran's political, religious leaders shift stance to support nuclear weapons as war looms - report • Nov. 4, 2026, 4:00 PM ET (Jerusalem Post)
Khamenei Orders Iran Military Response ‘Without Geographical Limitations’ • Oct. 31, 2026, 12:21 PM ET (Newsweek)

Facts

Also Known As ʿAlī Khāmeneʾī
Born April 19, 1939 • Mashhad • Iran
Died February 28, 2026 (aged 86) • Tehran • Iran
Title / Office supreme leader of Iran (1989-2026), Iran • president (1981-1989), Iran
Political Affiliation Islamic Republican Party
Notable Family Members son Mojtaba Khamenei
Role In 2009 Iranian presidential election protests • 2026 Iranian Protests • Iran-Iraq War • Iran nuclear deal negotiations • Israel-Hamas War

Photos

Ali Khamenei
Iranian President Ali Khamenei speaks at a podium in Tehran with a large Iranian flag piercing an American flag and the U.S. Presidential Seal, portraits and banners behind him.
A crowd of people, many wearing masks, gathers on a Tehran street in protest. Some hold up scarves or clothing, and smoke rises in the foreground near a traffic light.
Map highlighting the Middle East, showing Israel in blue, the West Bank and Gaza Strip in purple, and Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen in orange to indicate the Iran-backed axis of resistance. An inset zooms in on Israel, Lebanon, and surrounding areas, marking key locations such as the Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and West Bank, with Lebanon labeled for Hezbollah and Yemen for the Houthi movement. The map
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