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US President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is lifeless after the US and Israel struck his compound Saturday in a joint navy operation.
Trump has referred to as on the Iranian public to “seize management of your future” after launching the key joint assault on Iran.
“Khamenei, some of the evil folks in historical past, is lifeless,” the US president wrote.
“This isn’t solely justice for the folks of Iran, however for all nice People, and people folks from many international locations all through the world, which were killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
Here’s a have a look at Iran’s high political and non secular leaders after Khamenei’s dying.
Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei
In 1989, Khamenei grew to become Iran’s supreme chief after the dying of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khamenei performed an essential position within the motion that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi within the 1979 revolution.
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The 86-year-old Khamenei was Iran’s commander-in-chief, who has the ultimate say on all coverage and spiritual issues. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the drive that safeguards the Islamic Republic, solutions on to the supreme chief.
Khamenei had been in cost throughout earlier crackdowns on protesters in Iran. He lately stated Iran was able to retaliate in opposition to any American assault.
One of many first strikes Saturday hit close to Khamenei’s places of work, and Trump later stated the supreme chief had been killed.
President Masoud Pezeshkian
The president of Iran is broadly seen as a reformist. A former coronary heart surgeon, Pezeshkian took workplace on July 28, 2024.
The president is the second-highest rating official in Iran, performing as the top of presidency that handles every day administration, financial coverage and implements the Supreme Chief’s decrees.
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Iranians elect a president and parliament for four-year phrases.
International Minister Abbas Araghchi
Iran’s overseas minister is a longtime diplomat and was a key negotiator within the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal. He was appointed on Aug. 21, 2024.
Days earlier than Saturday’s assault, Araghchi warned {that a} battle with the U.S. could be “a devastating warfare” and reiterated Tehran’s curiosity in a peaceable answer forward of this week’s high-stakes talks.
Khamenei Adviser on Public Coverage Ali Larijani
Larijani hails from certainly one of Iran’s most well-known political households. A former parliamentary speaker and senior coverage adviser, he was appointed to advise Khamenei on technique in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.
In January, the U.S. imposed extra sanctions in opposition to Iranian officers, together with Larijani, who have been accused of repressing nationwide protests difficult Iran’s theocratic authorities.
The U.S. Treasury Division accused him of being one of many first officers to name for violence in opposition to Iranian protesters.
Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi
A conservative jurist and hard-line prosecutor, Mohseni Ejehi has been chief justice since 2021. He’s broadly considered a Khamenei loyalist.
Mohseni Ejehi was quoted by state media in January as saying that there could be “no leniency” for these behind the wave of unrest.
Head of Meeting of Specialists Mohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani
Movahedi Kermani is the top of the 88-seat clerical physique accountable for appointing the subsequent Supreme Chief. The Meeting of Specialists is Iran’s model of the Vatican’s School of Cardinals.
Secretary of Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati
Jannati is the de facto chief of Iran’s Guardian Council, a 12-member physique that vets candidates for workplace in addition to laws, and guidelines out people it believes are incompatible with Iran’s Islamic theocratic system. It consists of six Islamic theologians and 6 authorized specialists.
The council can disqualify presidential candidates who’re perceived as not being aligned with the Supreme Chief.
Khamenei’s Chief of Employees Mohammad Golpayegani
Golpayegani is an Islamic cleric and longtime confidant of Khamenei. He heads the Supreme Chief’s workplace.
Khamenei Adviser on Worldwide Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati
A doctor by coaching, Velayati was beforehand Iran’s overseas minister, and is a high adviser to Khamenei on worldwide affairs. He’s concerned within the nation’s nuclear coverage.
Khamenei Adviser on International Coverage Kamal Kharazi
Kharazi is a trusted adviser to Khamenei on overseas coverage, particularly through the latest nuclear talks with Washington.
A former diplomat and overseas minister, Kharazi beforehand represented Iran on the United Nations. He has held quite a few governmental, diplomatic and educational posts.
First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref
Aref is taken into account the highest-ranking reformist within the govt department of Iran’s authorities. He serves as the first deputy to the president and leads cupboard conferences when the president is absent. He liaises between the president and parliament.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
A former mayor of Tehran and Revolutionary Guard basic, Ghalibaf was reelected parliamentary speaker on Might 27, 2025. He’s a conservative politician who was linked to pupil crackdowns in 1999 and 2003.
Tehran Friday Prayer Imam Ahmad Khatami
Khatami belongs to Iran’s 12-member Guardian Council and is an influential prayer chief and spiritual determine loyal to the Supreme Chief. He’s a member of Iran’s Meeting of Specialists and has lengthy been identified for his hard-line views.
In January, Khatami referred to as for the dying penalty for protesters detained in a nationwide crackdown, and described these participating within the unrest as “butlers” of Netanyahu and “Trump’s troopers.”
Son of Supreme Chief Mojtaba Khamenei
Khamenei’s second-eldest son is a midranking cleric and the Supreme Chief’s rumored successor. He has shut ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Mojtaba served within the armed forces through the Iran-Iraq warfare, and is claimed to wield affect behind the scenes as his father’s gatekeeper.
