Iran's Unyielding Guardian, Enduring Symbol of Defiance

At 86, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stands as both the unyielding guardian of Iran's Islamic revolution and the enduring symbol of its defiance, a legacy his adversaries seem determined to shatter. As the region teeters on the brink of wider conflict, he remains the central force shaping Iran's trajectory at one of its most perilous moments since 1979.

- JAYANTH JACOB

Since becoming Supreme Leader in 1989, Khamenei has outlasted US presidents, Israeli threats, foreign wars, crushing sanctions, political unrest, and waves of internal dissent. Yet today, both he and the Republic he leads stand at a crossroads. Iran faces unprecedented external pressure, as it mounts an aggressive counterstrategy striking deep inside Israeli territory and reinforcing its posture of resistance.

Khamenei's grip on Iran's political system is unrivaled. As Supreme Leader, he is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and final arbiter of the judiciary, legislature, and executive. As Vali-ye Faqih, the guardian jurist, he also holds the highest religious authority in the Shiite establishment. But the enormous power is shadowed by immense responsibility, especially in a climate of regional volatility.