Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran’s Islamic Republic since 1989 and shaped its political and military landscape, has died at 86 following a U.S.-Israeli strike, as reported by Iranian state media. The attack occurred early Sunday after a major operation launched by Israel and the United States, according to sources. U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier announced that Khamenei was killed in the joint operation.

Legacy of a Theocratic Ruler

Khamenei took over as Iran’s top leader after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Khomeini, the architect of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, had established a theocratic regime based on Shiite Islamic law. Khamenei, in contrast, was a more pragmatic figure with less religious authority and a more reserved demeanor. Over the years, he transformed the Islamic Republic into a regional power, expanding the influence of the Shiite clerical class and the Major Guard, which became a dominant force in Iran’s military and economic sectors.

Khamenei’s rule saw the rise of the Major Guard, which grew into a military and economic powerhouse. The group controlled Iran’s ballistic missile program, oversaw key sectors of the economy, and was instrumental in shaping the country’s foreign policy. Under Khamenei, Iran shifted from conventional warfare to supporting proxy groups across the Middle East, forming the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance.’

Internal Strains and External Conflicts

Despite his long tenure, Khamenei faced growing domestic unrest. Political repression and economic hardship fueled mass protests, particularly after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by Iran’s morality police for not wearing her headscarf properly. The incident sparked nationwide demonstrations, with many chanting, ‘Death to Khamenei.’

Khamenei responded with a brutal crackdown, using security forces to disperse crowds and kill thousands. The protests, which were the largest in Iran in nearly 50 years, exposed deep frustrations with the regime’s repressive policies and economic mismanagement.

Internationally, Khamenei’s Iran became increasingly embroiled in regional conflicts. The 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, marking the first time the two nations engaged in open warfare. In June 2025, Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, killing top military officers and scientists. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel, signaling a new phase of direct conflict.

Khamenei’s death raises significant questions about the future of the Islamic Republic. The 88-seat Assembly of Experts, composed of hard-line clerics, will now be tasked with selecting his successor. However, no clear successor is in place, and the future of Iran’s leadership remains uncertain.

Political Uncertainty and the Path Forward

As Khamenei’s death is announced, the Major Guard, which has historically maintained control over Iran’s political landscape, is expected to play a critical role in shaping the country’s future. The Guard has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to use force to maintain power, even as public support for the regime wanes.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously called for regime change in Iran, urged Iranians to ‘take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.’ However, the transition of power in Iran is likely to be complex and fraught with challenges, especially with the Major Guard’s influence.

Analysts have long questioned the viability of the Islamic Republic’s ideology. Mehdi Khalaji, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in 2017, ‘Culturally, the government is bankrupt. The ideology of the Islamic Republic did not work at all.’

Khamenei’s death has also brought personal tragedy to his family. According to the semiofficial Fars news agency, his daughter and son-in-law, a grandchild, and a daughter-in-law were also killed in the attack, though the sources remain unnamed.

In response to Khamenei’s death, Iran’s government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday. The country is expected to hold a state funeral in the coming days, with leaders from across the Islamic world likely to attend.

Khamenei was born in 1939 in Mashhad, a city in northeastern Iran. He studied under Ayatollah Khomeini at the seminary in Qom, where he became a prominent figure in the anti-shah movement. After the 1979 revolution, Khamenei was appointed to the Major Council and later became Iran’s third president in 1981.

Despite his lack of charisma compared to Khomeini, Khamenei was able to stabilize Iran after the 1980s war with Iraq and governed for over three decades. He expanded the influence of the Major Guard and used a system of appointments to maintain control over the country’s political institutions.

Under Khamenei, Iran shifted from conventional warfare to supporting proxy groups across the Middle East. This strategy allowed Iran to build the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance,’ which has become a cornerstone of its foreign policy. However, the recent collapse of this axis, following Israel’s strikes on Iran and the defeat of Hamas and Hezbollah, has left the Islamic Republic in a precarious position.

Khamenei’s death marks the end of an era in Iranian politics. The future of the Islamic Republic now depends on the decisions of the Assembly of Experts and the Major Guard, as well as the broader political and economic challenges facing Iran in the coming years.