Ali Khamenei

Ali Khamenei khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0

Cleric and former Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989 to 2026 (1939–2026)

Ali Hosseini Khamenei was an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who served as the second supreme leader of Iran from 1989 until his assassination in 2026. A member of the Khamenei family who held the title Grand Ayatollah, he previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. His 36-year tenure as supreme leader made him the longest-serving head of state in West Asia at the time of his death.

Also known as...Alī Ḥoseynī Khāmeneī, Imam Khamenei, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Sayyid Ali Hoseyni Khamenei, Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Khamenei
Iran economy suffers as sanctions bite

Iran economy suffers as sanctions bite Iran's economy is suffering under intensified US sanctions, with trade falling and officials signaling openness to talks.