Khamenei (indirectly via event)
When Iran's founding Supreme Leader died in 1989, Ali Khamenei succeeded him, becoming the country's top political
Standing...
Stories...
Sep 4, 2026
Center
The martyrdom of Salimzadeh and the US attack on Khuzestan serve as reminders of ongoing conflict that Supreme Leader's guidance has not resolved.
Pragmatists privately criticize the supreme leader's military approach, which they believe exposes the nation to US strikes while failing to deter them.