Iran’s key political figures defined after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in US strikes | EUROtoday

US President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader 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 control of your destiny” after launching the main joint assault on Iran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead,” the US president wrote.

“This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans, and those people from many countries throughout the world, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Here is a take a look at Iran’s prime political and religious leaders after Khamenei’s loss of life.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

In 1989, Khamenei turned Iran’s supreme chief after the loss of life of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khamenei performed an essential function within the motion that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi within the 1979 revolution.

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 power that safeguards the Islamic Republic, solutions on to the supreme chief.

Khamenei had been in cost throughout earlier crackdowns on protesters in Iran. He not too long ago mentioned Iran was able to retaliate in opposition to any American assault.

One of the primary strikes Saturday hit close to Khamenei’s workplaces, and Trump later mentioned 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 pinnacle of presidency that handles every day administration, financial coverage and implements the Supreme Leader’s decrees.

Iranians elect a president and parliament for four-year phrases.

Foreign 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 war” and reiterated Tehran’s curiosity in a peaceable resolution forward of this week’s high-stakes talks.

Khamenei Adviser on Public Policy Ali Larijani

Larijani hails from one in all 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 further 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 Department 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 is extensively 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 Assembly of Experts Mohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani

Movahedi Kermani is the pinnacle of the 88-seat clerical physique liable for appointing the subsequent Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts is Iran’s model of the Vatican’s College 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 consultants.

The council can disqualify presidential candidates who’re perceived as not being aligned with the Supreme Leader.

Khamenei’s Chief of Staff Mohammad Golpayegani

Golpayegani is an Islamic cleric and longtime confidant of Khamenei. He heads the Supreme Leader’s workplace.

Khamenei Adviser on International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati

A doctor by coaching, Velayati was beforehand Iran’s overseas minister, and is a prime adviser to Khamenei on worldwide affairs. He is concerned within the nation’s nuclear coverage.

Khamenei Adviser on Foreign Policy Kamal Kharazi

Kharazi is a trusted adviser to Khamenei on overseas coverage, particularly throughout the current 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 government 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 normal, Ghalibaf was reelected parliamentary speaker on May 27, 2025. He is 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 Leader. He is a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and has lengthy been identified for his hard-line views.

In January, Khatami referred to as for the loss of life penalty for protesters detained in a nationwide crackdown, and described these collaborating within the unrest as “butlers” of Netanyahu and “Trump’s soldiers.”

Son of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

Khamenei’s second-eldest son is a midranking cleric and the Supreme Leader’s rumored successor. He has shut ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Mojtaba served within the armed forces throughout the Iran-Iraq battle, and is claimed to wield affect behind the scenes as his father’s gatekeeper.