Behind the Scenes: Iranian Leaders and the Women Beside Them

Ali Khamenei, born in 1939, played a key role in the revolutionary movement and became a close associate of Khomeini. After the revolution, he served in various leadership roles and was eventually elected as president from 1981 to 1989. His presidency was marked by the Iran-Iraq War and efforts to rebuild the country amid post-war challenges. Known for his conservative views, Khamenei advocated for the continuation of Islamic governance and strong resistance to Western influence.