Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its first Supreme Leader, holding the position from 1979 until his death in 1989. He led the 1979 Iranian Revolution, overthrowing the U.S.-backed Shah and establishing a theocratic government based on his interpretation of Shia Islam. Khomeini is newsworthy due to the ongoing legacy of his policies and the institutions he created, which continue to shape Iranian politics and foreign policy. Recent news articles reference Khomeini in the context of Al-Quds Day, an annual event he established to express support for Palestinian rights and opposition to Israel. The articles also mention the Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall as a planned location for a farewell ceremony for the recently deceased Supreme Leader Khamenei. Khomeini's ideology and the political system he established remain highly relevant as Iran faces internal and external pressures, including a recent US-Israeli conflict and questions about the future of its leadership.