By maintaining the hardline stance of Khomeini, the Republic’s first supreme leader, Khamenei quashed the ambitions of a succession of independent-minded elected presidents who sought more open policies at home and abroad. His word was lawKhamenei long denied that Iran’s nuclear programme was aimed at producing an atomic weapon, as the West contended. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File) via Associated PressIran saw major student-led protests in 1999 and 2002. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei speaks speaks in Tehran, Iran on January 03, 2026. AdvertisementIran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei makes a speech in Tehran, Iran, on November 3, 2025.

Source: Huffington Post March 01, 2026 08:52 UTC