Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is killed in Israeli strike, ending 36-year rule

6 hours ago

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike with U.S. support, ending his 36-year rule.
Khamenei was a staunch opponent of the U.S. and Israel, resisting reforms to modernize Iran.
He rose to power after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, succeeding Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
Khamenei consolidated power with the help of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sidelining political rivals.
Under his rule, Iran developed proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and advanced its ballistic missile program.
Khamenei brutally suppressed protests, including the 2009 election protests and the 2025 mass demonstrations.
He reluctantly agreed to the 2015 nuclear deal but distrusted the U.S., a skepticism validated by Trump's withdrawal in 2018.
Israel's 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and proxies weakened Khamenei's regime significantly.
His death leaves Iran vulnerable, with an uncertain future leadership and a crippled nuclear program.

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