Supreme Leader of Iran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Supreme Leadership Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran |
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Incumbent
Vacant since 28 February 2026 |
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| Office of the Supreme Leader | |
| Style | His Eminence |
| Residence | Jamaran Hussainiya (former) House of Leadership (present) |
| Seat | Tehran |
| Appointer | Assembly of Experts |
| Term length | Life tenure |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Iran |
| Precursor | Shah of Iran |
| Formation | 5 February 1979 as Revolutionary Leader 3 December 1979 as Supreme Leader |
| First holder | Ruhollah Khomeini |
| Deputy | Office was not established until 15 July 1985 Grand Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri (15 July 1985 – 25 April 1989) Office abolished since 25 April 1989 |
The Supreme Leader of Iran is the most important leader in Iran. This person holds both the top political and religious power in the country. They are above the President. Many important parts of the government follow the Supreme Leader's guidance. These include the military, the courts, and state television. Other key groups like the Guardian Council also report to the Supreme Leader.
According to Iran's constitution, the Supreme Leader sets the main goals for the country. They also watch over how the government's different parts work. The previous leader, Ali Khamenei, made final decisions on many important matters. These included the economy, foreign policy, and education. He also had a big say in elections and could change government officials.
This important role was created in 1979 by the Constitution of Iran. It was based on Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's idea of the "Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist." The Supreme Leader is chosen for life. Originally, the rules said the leader had to be a very high-ranking religious scholar. However, in 1989, the constitution was changed. It now allowed a religious scholar who might not be the highest-ranking to become leader. The title "Supreme Leader" is often used as a sign of respect. The constitution simply calls them "Leader."
A group called the Assembly of Experts is responsible for choosing the Supreme Leader. They also oversee the leader and can remove them if needed. However, this group has not publicly questioned the Supreme Leader's decisions. Their meetings are kept private. The people elect the members of the Assembly. But another group, the Guardian Council, must approve them. The Supreme Leader chooses half of the Guardian Council's members. The other half are approved after being chosen by the head of the courts. This head of courts is also appointed by the Supreme Leader. The United Nations officially lists Iran's President as the head of state. However, the Supreme Leader holds the most power in Iran.
Iran has had two Supreme Leaders since 1979. Ruhollah Khomeini led from 1979 until his death in 1989. Ali Khamenei served from 1989 until his assassination on February 28, 2026.
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Understanding the Supreme Leader's Role
The Supreme Leader of Iran is chosen by the Assembly of Experts. This is the only government group that can choose and remove Iran's Supreme Leaders.
The Supreme Leader is the commander of the military. They also oversee the government's three main parts. These are the courts (Judiciary), the lawmakers (Legislature), and the executive branch (Executive).
The Supreme Leader has many important duties and powers. They oversee, appoint, or can dismiss people in these key areas:
- National Security: They appoint representatives to the Supreme National Security Council. This group discusses national security and foreign policy.
- Armed Forces: They appoint the top commanders of all military branches. This includes the regular army, the Revolutionary Guard, and the police force.
- Judiciary: They appoint the Chief Justice of Iran, who leads the court system.
- Media: They appoint the head of Iran's national news broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
- Culture and Education: They oversee the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. This group makes sure Iran's education and culture stay Islamic.
- Government Advice: They oversee the Expediency Discernment Council. This group helps solve disagreements between other government bodies and advises the Supreme Leader.
The Supreme Leader also has other important powers:
- They officially approve the President after elections. They can also remove the President with approval from the Parliament.
- They appoint six of the twelve members of the Guardian Council. This council checks if laws follow Islamic rules.
- They can send representatives to all parts of the government. Ali Khamenei had about 2000 such representatives.
- They appoint the leaders of Friday Prayers in each provincial capital.
The Supreme Leader's office guides Iran's foreign policy, especially with neighboring countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles official meetings and ceremonies. Even ambassadors to some countries are chosen by a special military group that reports directly to the Supreme Leader.
The Supreme Leader is highly respected. It is considered a serious offense to question or insult him publicly.
How the Supreme Leader's Role Was Created
The 1979 Constitution
In March 1979, after Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran and the monarchy was overthrown, a national vote was held. People were asked if they wanted an "Islamic Republic." Most people voted "yes." After this, Iran's old constitution was replaced. A new constitution for an Islamic state was created and approved in December 1979.
This 1979 constitution mixed ideas of democracy (where people vote) and theocracy (where religious leaders have power). Much of it was based on Khomeini's book, Islamic Government. In his book, Khomeini believed the government should follow Islamic laws. He said a wise religious scholar, called a faqih, should guide the country. These leading scholars were known as Marja.
The constitution emphasized the importance of religious leaders in government. It stated that all laws must follow Islamic rules. It also said that during the absence of the hidden Twelfth Imam, a rightful, God-fearing religious scholar should lead the community. The constitution specifically mentioned Khomeini, calling him a very wise and respected leader. The Supreme Leader's exact duties were not always clearly written, giving him a lot of flexibility. The Supreme Leader does not receive a salary.
The 1989 Changes
Before Khomeini passed away, a change was made to the constitution. This change allowed a lower-ranking Shia cleric to become the Supreme Leader. Khomeini had disagreements with his chosen successor, Hussein-Ali Montazeri. Montazeri had concerns about how the government treated its citizens.
Montazeri was no longer considered a top religious authority. Khomeini then chose Ali Khamenei, who was a less senior religious scholar, as his next successor. The original rules said the leader had to be a "source of imitation" (a very high-ranking religious scholar). To allow Khamenei to become leader, this rule was changed in the constitution.
Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih)
Iran's constitution mixes ideas of democracy (where people vote) and theocracy (where religious leaders have power). The religious part comes from Khomeini's idea called Velayat-e Faqih. This means "Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist."
Khomeini believed this "Guardianship" meant that a religious scholar should guide all people. He thought religious scholars were the best leaders. This was because they understood Islamic teachings deeply. Before the Iranian Revolution, Shia Muslims chose their own religious guides. This meant people had a say in who they followed.
After the revolution, people were expected to follow the Supreme Leader as their main religious and political guide. The Supreme Leader's influence was meant to extend beyond Iran. The constitution aimed to create an ideal society based on Islamic rules. It hoped to inspire other Islamic movements around the world.
Khomeini was very good at connecting with people. He was a powerful and inspiring leader. He hoped the Iranian Revolution would inspire similar changes in other countries.
Leaders of Iran
| No. | Portrait | Name (English · Persian) |
Term of office | Signature | Lifespan | Presidents | Place of birth | Political party | Notes | ||
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| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||||||
| 1 |  |
Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini سیدروحالله خمینی |
3 December 1979 | 3 June 1989 (Died in office) |
9 years and 6 months |  |
17 May 1900 or 24 September 1902 – 3 June 1989 (aged 86 or 89) |
List:
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Khomeyn, Markazi Province | N/A | Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. |
| 2 | _58_(khamenei.ir,_2026)_(cropped_3).jpg) |
Seyyed Ali Khamenei سیدعلی خامنهای |
6 August 1989 | 28 February 2026 (Assassinated) |
36 years, 6 months and 22 days |  |
19 April 1939 – 28 February 2026 (aged 86) | Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province |
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Served as President before becoming Supreme Leader. | |
Timeline of Leaders
The Role of Vice Supreme Leader
The position of Vice Supreme Leader (or deputy supreme leader) was once part of the leadership.
- Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri held this role from November 10, 1985, to March 13, 1989.
When there were discussions about Khamenei's health, some suggested bringing back the deputy leader role. This was to help with choosing a new leader smoothly.
Choosing the Next Leader
Following the assassination of Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, the process of choosing a new Supreme Leader began. The Assembly of Experts is responsible for this important decision.
Images for kids
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Ali Khamenei voting in the 2017 Presidential election
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Ali Khamenei with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, 2017
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Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meeting with leaders from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, July 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Líder supremo de Irán para niños
- President of Iran
- List of heads of state of Iran
- List of provincial representatives appointed by Supreme Leader of Iran
- Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order
- Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Death and state funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini
- 1989 Iranian Supreme Leader election
- List of members in the Fifth Term of the Council of Experts
- Iranian Revolution
