Khamenei was trained in religion in both Najaf, Iraq, and Mashhad, Iran, where he was born on April 19, 1939. He started engaging in covert operations against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s government, which resulted in several apprehensions, abuse, and a spell of banishment. Khamenei returned to Tehran after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and advanced swiftly through the ranks of the revolutionary leadership.Khamenei escaped an attempted murder in June 1981 while giving an address at a mosque in Tehran. His right arm was rendered permanently paralyzed in the attack, which is thought to have been carried out by the anti-clerical Forqan gang. Despite this, Khamenei’s notoriety grew, and with the 1981 passings of Prime Minister Muhammad Javad Bahonar and President Muhammad Ali Rajai, he was elected to the
Taking into the role of Supreme Leader
Despite not being a Marja at the time—a prerequisite for the position—Khamenei was named Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts in June 1989, after Ayatollah Khomeini passed away. Khamenei has enormous authority as the Supreme Leader and is in charge of appointing and dismissing important military and government figures, including members of the Revolutionary Guards.
dispute with India
Ayatollah Khamenei recently caused a stir in India with comments he made regarding the plight of Muslims in India. During the Prophet Mohammed’s birth day, Khamenei posted on X (previously Twitter) comparing Muslims in India to those in Gaza, Myanmar, and other places, referring to their “struggles,” and calling on the Islamic world to come together to combat the persecution of Muslims around the world.
