Iran’s Supreme Leader, Unbending Over Time

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 37-year rule in Iran is characterized by uncompromising repression and resistance to change. As Supreme Leader, Khamenei has built an authoritarian system based on ideological fixations, including the rejection of political or social changes and hostility towards the United States. Recent nationwide protests have been met with increasing brutality, resulting in thousands of deaths and imprisonments. This repression, coupled with potential executions of protesters, prompted a threat of American military intervention. While the protests have slowed, the situation has widened the gap between the Iranian government and its people. Analysts believe Khamenei views compromise as a threat to the Islamic Republic, making significant change unlikely.

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