America and Israel have launched a new and extremely aggressive joint military operation against Iran. Several explosions have been heard in Iran’s capital Tehran and the direct aim of this attack is to eliminate Iran’s top leadership. While confirming the attacks, US President Donald Trump has openly appealed to Iranian citizens to overthrow their own government. There is only one name at the center of this entire geopolitical turmoil and the new crisis in West Asia – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Let us understand through simple questions and answers who 86-year-old Khamenei is and why he has become an eyesore for Western countries.
What direct connection does the latest US-Israel attack have with Khamenei?
In this latest attack on Iran, many areas across the country as well as those specific areas of the capital Tehran, which are directly linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, have been targeted. According to reports, seven missiles fell near the Presidential Palace and Khamenei’s offices (compound) located north of Tehran. The main objective of this strategy of America and Israel is to target the leadership of the Islamic Republic. However, Khamenei was not present in Tehran during the attacks and was evacuated to a secure location.
After all, who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a religious leader who has held the post of Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989. He assumed this position after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Khomeini led the Islamic Revolution of 1979, in which the US-backed Shah was ousted from power. Today, Khamenei, along with being the spiritual leader of the country, holds the ultimate and supreme power over the government, military and judiciary.
Why has Khamenei become the biggest ‘villain’ for America and Israel?
During his rule, Khamenei has always maintained a hostile relationship with Western countries and considers the US to be Iran’s number one enemy, with Israel right behind. The main basis of their unlimited power is Iran’s powerful ‘Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) and ‘Basij’ paramilitary forces, whose loyalty is directly to Khamenei.
The biggest reason for this enmity is Iran’s nuclear program. Although Khamenei claims that his nuclear program is only for civilian purposes and that he will never produce nuclear weapons, the US and Israel continue to allege that Iran is secretly developing a nuclear bomb.
What tough stance has Trump and the Israeli leadership taken towards Khamenei?
Top officials of America and Israel are now openly threatening to remove and eliminate Khamenei from power. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has clearly stated that a dictator like Khamenei, who aims to destroy Israel, ‘cannot exist’. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also not ruled out the possibility of an attempt to assassinate him.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has claimed that he knows exactly where the ‘so-called Supreme Leader’ is hiding and that he is an ‘easy target’ for the US. Trump has made a direct appeal to the Iranian people for regime change, saying, “When we’re done, taking over your government… may be your only chance for generations.”
This tension between Khamenei and Western countries has now reached a decisive and dangerous turn. While Khamenei maintains his firm grip on power despite tough international sanctions and domestic opposition, the US and Israel have now resorted to direct military action to uproot his leadership. The outcome of this conflict will determine the condition and direction of geopolitics of the entire Middle East.