Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, is the paramount authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khamenei wields immense power, shaping not only the destiny of his nation but also exerting influence across the Middle East and beyond.
Khomeini is the longest-serving supreme leader of Iran serving from 1989. He has been the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. Khomeini also holds the position of the Supreme Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. He serves as both the Supreme Leader of Iran and the Supreme Commander of the IRGC.
Earlier this month, Iran conducted a missile and drone strike against Israel in retaliation for an earlier attack on an Iranian consular building in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals and was widely attributed to Israel. It was reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, controlled by Khomenei, was the mastermind behind Tehran’s attack on Israel. Israel reported that Iran deployed approximately 170 drones, along with over 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles in the assault.
Ayatollah Khamenei had pledged to seek revenge, stating that Israel “must be punished and shall be” for what he deemed an attack on Iranian territory.
Born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad, Iran, Ali Khamenei came of age during a tumultuous period in his country’s history. His early years were marked by political activism and religious scholarship, laying the groundwork for his eventual ascension to the highest echelons of power.Here are ten key points to understand about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC):
- Established after Iran’s 1979 revolution, the IRGC’s primary role is to safeguard the new Islamic regime against internal and external threats.
- It operates independently alongside Iran’s regular armed forces, commanding over 190,000 troops.
- The IRGC is considered one of the most potent paramilitary forces in the Middle East.
- Reports suggest that the IRGC has provided support to militant groups in countries like Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.
- In 2019, the United States designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
- The IRGC exerts significant control over various sectors of the Iranian economy to finance its operations, and it holds considerable influence in Iranian politics. It has been involved in quelling anti-government protests.
- There are reports suggesting the IRGC’s potential involvement in the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
- Additionally, reports indicate that the IRGC supplied drones to Russia during its conflict with Ukraine.
- The IRGC is believed to be engaged in activities like oil smuggling and other illicit markets to circumvent sanctions and enhance its financial resources.
- Beyond its military and economic roles, the IRGC also engages in humanitarian efforts, including disaster relief operations within Iran.