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Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed in US-Israel Strikes at 86
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran since 1989, died in joint US-Israeli airstrikes, creating a leadership vacuum. Stories detail his rise from unlikely successor to Khomeini, ruthless rule, and succession questions involving son Mojtaba.
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1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the Islamic Republic since 1989. His death leaves a power vacuum
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greatly expanded the Shiite clerical class and built the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into the most important body underpinning his rule
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2. Iran after Khamenei: What's next and what it means for the country?
Khamenei assumed power following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, inheriting a revolutionary state still consolidating itself.
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3. Iran security official says Khamenei transition process to begin on Sunday
The 86-year-old Khamenei has no known successor and his death is almost certain to create a leadership vacuum in Iran, given that he had final say on all major policies.
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4. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Ayatollah’s son tipped to succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader
<img border="0" hspace="10" align="left" style="margin-top:3px;margin-right:5px;" src="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/128909353.cms" />Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's reported death in US-Israeli strikes has created a leadership vacuum in Iran, with his son Mojtaba emerging as a potential successor. Mojtaba, an influential but opaque figure with strong ties to the IRGC, faces constitutional hurdles to the top post.
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5. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Mr. Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader in 1989, wielding ultimate religious and political authority over the state and security apparatus.
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6. Khamenei: A ruthless revolutionary atop Iran
Aged 86, Khamenei dominated Iran since taking on the post for life in 1989 following the death of revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
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7. Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei killed in US-Israeli strikes: Who'll succeed him now? Key scenarios
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack. Who'll succeed him now?
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8. Iran's supreme leader dead at 86: Who was Ali Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, has been killed by an Israeli airstrike at the age of 86. During his rule, he fought hard to prevent the modernization of the Islamic Republic.
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9. Iran's supreme leader dead at 86: Who was Ali Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, has been killed by an Israeli airstrike at the age of 86. During his rule, he fought hard to prevent the modernization of the Islamic Republic.
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10. Iran's supreme leader dead at 86: Who was Ali Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, has been killed by an Israeli airstrike at the age of 86. During his rule, he fought hard to prevent the modernization of the Islamic Republic.
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11. Watch: Khamenei’s rise and fall: The death of Iran’s ultimate authority
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader for nearly 40 years, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israel strike, leaving a major power vacuum. From resisting the Shah to leading Iran through wars, nuclear negotiations, and internal uprisings, he shaped the nation’s politics, military, and religious authority.
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12. From Surviving A Saturday Blast In 1981 To Dying On One In 2026: Khamenei's Twist Of Fate
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, was killed in US–Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
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13. Who's in charge of Iran now - and who will be its new leader?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was only the second leader of Iran's Islamic Republic, established in April 1979.
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14. Rajiv Gandhi To George Bush, World Leaders In Power When Iran's Khamenei Took Over
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled Iran for nearly four decades since 1989. The period marked by various global leadership changes, while he remained a constant figure on the world map.
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15. Years of absolute rule: Who was Ali Khamenei and how did he come to power in Iran?
The most powerful man in Iran was killed on Saturday in US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran and his death leaves a power vaccum in the country. But how did Ali Khamenei rise to power and what is his legacy?
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16. Obituary: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader and dominant political figure for decades
<article data-history-node-id="434451" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-iran-supreme-leader" class="story default clearfix">
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<span class="field field-title">Obituary: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader and dominant political figure for decades</span>
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