Who is Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei and why is he a possible target?

"The United States and Israel have waged a new round of attacks on Iran, again derailing negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and raising questions about efforts to target the country's security and leadership apparatus. Among the areas targeted on Saturday in Iran's capital Tehran were places linked to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei."

"The 86-year-old Islamic scholar has been Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding the Islamic Republic's late founder, the charismatic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who returned from exile and drove Iran's 1979 revolution that overthrew US ally, the shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. He holds ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military and the judiciary, while also acting as the country's spiritual leader."

"During his rule, Khamenei has withstood an adversarial relationship with the West, including intense sanctions, and several rounds of protests at home over the economy and rights issues. He has called the US Iran's number one enemy, with Israel trailing close behind. Critical to Khamenei's power is the loyalty of two of Iran's premier security institutions—the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij."

The United States and Israel launched a new round of attacks on Iran, targeting multiple locations nationwide including areas in Tehran linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Strikes hit near the presidential palace in Shemiran and Khamenei's compound and offices. Khamenei, 86, has led Iran since 1989 and holds ultimate authority over government, military, and judiciary while serving as spiritual leader. He has maintained Iran's adversarial stance toward the West despite sanctions and domestic protests. His power depends on loyalty from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij militia. Trump has urged Iranians to overthrow their government, while these attacks further derail nuclear program negotiations.

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