[Iran Watch #02] Ali Khamenei: The Real Power Behind Iran's Global Moves

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 Who is Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei? Explore his rise to power, influence over Iran’s military, and key role in the 2025 Middle East crisis.

llustration of a bearded man wearing a dark robe and black turban, with Earth in the background and a hand controlling fighter jets like puppets. The image conveys themes of influence and military control.


Table of Contents

1. Why Khamenei Deserves Global Attention

As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate in mid-2025, one man stands at the epicenter of this geopolitical storm—Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Unlike the president, who handles daily administration, Khamenei wields unmatched control over Iran’s military, foreign policy, judiciary, media, and nuclear decisions.

2. From Revolutionary to Supreme Leader

Born in 1939 in Mashhad, Khamenei grew up in a deeply religious Shia family. He was actively involved in the 1979 Islamic Revolution and held various political roles thereafter. In 1989, after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, he was chosen by the Assembly of Experts to become the Supreme Leader—a decision that made him Iran’s most powerful man.

3. Powers of the Supreme Leader

The Supreme Leader is far from a symbolic figure. He controls the military, appoints key judges, oversees state media, and approves presidential candidates. Most importantly, no major domestic or international decision—especially those involving war or diplomacy—can proceed without his consent.

4. Khamenei’s Role in Iran’s Military Strategy

Khamenei commands Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and is the architect behind Iran’s proxy warfare strategy—supporting groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Syria and Iraq. His influence was evident in the 2025 retaliation campaign (“Promise of Truth III”), launched in response to Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities.

5. Merging Religion and Power

Iran’s political system is rooted in Velayat-e Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. This doctrine places a senior cleric—currently Khamenei—at the top of the power structure. His religious authority gives political decisions a moral and divine mandate, reinforcing loyalty and quelling dissent.

6. Khamenei’s Position on Israel and the U.S.

Khamenei has long taken a hardline stance. He once declared Israel should be “wiped from the map” and called the U.S. “the Great Satan.” These views shape Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional interventions, and anti-Western rhetoric—strategically and ideologically aligning Iran against U.S. allies in the region.

7. How Khamenei Shapes the 2025 Middle East Crisis

The 2025 Israeli airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facility triggered a military response orchestrated under Khamenei’s directive. His behind-the-scenes influence—silent but sweeping—determined Iran’s retaliation scale and diplomatic posture. As such, any peace initiative or further escalation hinges on his decisions.

Artistic portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei representing power and influence


8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How was Khamenei chosen as Supreme Leader?
A1. He was appointed by Iran’s Assembly of Experts in 1989 after Khomeini’s death, despite controversy over his religious rank.

Q2. Does Khamenei have more power than Iran’s president?
A2. Yes. The president handles the executive branch, but major decisions require Khamenei’s approval.

Q3. Is Khamenei pushing for full-scale war?
A3. He typically avoids direct war, preferring indirect confrontations and regional proxy strategies.

Q4. What happens after Khamenei?
A4. Iran’s political future is uncertain. A successor has not been publicly identified, raising concerns about potential instability.

Conclusion

Ali Khamenei remains the single most powerful figure in Iran, and arguably the Middle East’s most consequential actor in 2025. His authority—both spiritual and strategic—shapes Iran’s past, present, and near future. As the region teeters on the brink of wider conflict, understanding Khamenei is crucial to decoding what comes next.

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