Born in Mashhad and Jailed Repeatedly for Opposing the Shah, Ali Khamenei Rose Through the Clerical Ranks After the Islamic Revolution, Became Iran's Supreme Leader Following Khomeini's Death, and Pursued an Uncompromising anti-Western Agenda While Brutally Suppressing Domestic Dissent

The radical cleric took over as supreme leader in 1989 and is likely to be replaced by hardline figures

Simbolo dell'opposizione all'occidente, da 37 anni Guida Suprema dell'Iran (ANSA)