Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei (not to be confused with the late Grand Ayatollah Khomenei), is Iran's chief of state, also known as the supreme leader. In this capacity, Khamenei is the most powerful political figure in Iran. The supreme leader's power is spread across the branches of government and has final say in all matters. [1] In 1981, Khamenei became Iran's president. He was elected to a second term in 1985. [2] In 1989, a day after the Grand Ayatollah Khomenei died, Khamenei was voted the supreme leader of Iran by Iran's Council of Experts. [3] Khamenei, much like his predecessor, has taken a hard line with regard to Western democracies. He refers to the United States as the "Great Satan" and is often critical of U.S. policies and messages abroad. [4] Khamenei also has accused the West of many plots against Iran.
Following are statements Khamenei has made during recent years:
"They do not know that in Iran it is not one person but a whole nation and they will witness on February 11 [the 28th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution] the resistance and power of the nation and despair of the enemies." [5] (Feb. 8, 2007)
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its own decision and in the nuclear case, God-willing, with patience and power, will continue its path." [6] (Aug. 2006)
"We adhere to our ambitions and to our national interests. Whoever threatens our interests will see the sharp wrath of this people."
Crowd: "Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Khamenei is the leader. Death to those who reject the rule of the Jurisprudent. Death to America. Death to England. Death to the hypocrites [Mojahedin-e Khalq] and Saddam. Death to Israel." [7] (broadcast June 4, 2006)
"You Will Never Be Able to Guarantee the Safe Supply of Energy in This Region... We adhere to our ambitions and to our national interests. Whoever threatens our interests will feel the sharp wrath of this people." [8] (broadcast June 4, 2006)
"The immaculate blood of martyrdom-seeking youngsters and the presence on the scene of devoted combatants ready to make self-sacrifice refuted all the calculations of materialistic mammonists (greedy) pursuing riches and pleasure and opened a new arena in which blood achieved victory over the sword." [9] (April 14, 2006)
"That victory of Hamas in the parliamentary election of Palestine was a sweet surprise and sign of God's promise coming true." [10] (Feb. 14, 2006)
"The real democracy is the one that originates from religious faith." [11] (Aug. 3, 2005)
"Today, I can clearly see that there are certain hands at work to create rifts and schisms between the Shia and the Sunni. The Zionists and arrogant powers are definitely involved in the bloody incidents and explosions taking place during congregational prayers at the mosques and Friday prayer grounds. Muslims have nothing to do with the incidents taking place in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries." [12] (June 4, 2005)
"In fact, the 'death to America' that is chanted by our people is similar to the phrase "I seek the protection of Allah against the cursed Satan," which is recited at the beginning of each Qur'anic chapter before "In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful." What is the reason for seeking the protection of Allah from the cursed Satan? It is for the believers not to forget the presence of the Satan, not to forget even for a single moment that the Satan is ready to attack them and destroy the spiritual fortifications that protect their belief." [13] (March 14, 2005)
Footnotes
[1] "Profile: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," BBC, June 30, 2006,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3018932.stm
[2] "Biography of H. E. Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei The Leader of The Islamic Republic of IRAN," Salam Iran,
http://www.salamiran.org/IranInfo/State/Leadership/Leader/LeaderBiography.html, accessed June 28, 2007
[3] "Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," Globalsecurity.org,
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/khamenei.htm, accessed June 28, 2007
[4] "Leader's Address to High School Students," The Islamic Revolution Cultural-Research Institute for Preserving and Publishing Works by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, March 14, 2005,
http://www.khamenei.ir/EN/Speech/detail.jsp?id=20050314A
[5] "Roundup: Khamenei says Iran not afraid of US threats,"
Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Feb. 8, 2007
[6] "Iran to continue pursuing nuclear technology, supreme leader says," published in
USA Today, via
Associated Press, Aug. 21, 2006,
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-21-iran-nukes_x.htm
[7] "Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei: The U.S. Cannot Guarantee the Flow of Energy in This Region," Middle East Media Research Institute Clip No. 1160, June 4, 2006,
http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1160
[8] "Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei: The U.S. 'Will Never Be Able to Guarantee the Safe Supply of Energy in This Region," The Middle East Research Institute Special Dispatch No. 1181, June 6, 2006,
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP118106
[9] "Leader's Address to the 3rd Intl. Conference on the Holy Quds and Support for the Palestinian People's Rights," The Islamic Revolution Cultural-Research Institute for Preserving and Publishing Works by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, April 14, 2006,
http://www.khamenei.ir/EN/Speech/detail.jsp?id=20060414A
[10] "Supreme Leader terms Hamas election victory as a 'sweet surprise,"
IRNA, Feb. 20, 2006
[11] "Leader's Speech at the Inauguration of President Ahmadinejad," The Islamic Revolution Cultural-Research Institute for Preserving and Publishing Works by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Aug. 3, 2005,
http://www.khamenei.ir/EN/Speech/detail.jsp?id=20050803A
[12] Ibid.
[13] "Leader's Address to High School Students," The Islamic Revolution Cultural-Research Institute for Preserving and Publishing Works by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, March 14, 2005,
http://www.khamenei.ir/EN/Speech/detail.jsp?id=20050314A
