Ayatollah Khomeini Dies; Khamenei Becomes Supreme Leader

Founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini dies, and Ali Khamenei is elevated to Supreme Leader, beginning a leadership that would define US-Iran tensions for over three decades.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the revolutionary founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran who had led the country since 1979 and coined the "Great Satan" characterization of the United States, died on June 3, 1989. His death triggered an outpouring of grief across Iran. Ali Khamenei, then serving as president of Iran, was swiftly elevated to Supreme Leader despite lacking the religious credentials Khomeini had held. Khamenei would go on to lead Iran for over 35 years, presiding over every major confrontation with the United States — from the nuclear standoffs to the proxy wars — until his death in US and Israeli strikes in 2026. His hawkish ideology and ban on direct talks with the US cemented the adversarial relationship.