Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader for over three decades, has been laid to rest, marking an end to a rule that supporters lionized as a defense against Western influence and adversaries condemned for repression and economic mismanagement.
Processions in Tehran and other cities drew large crowds, presented as a show of strength by hard-liners who hailed Khamenei as a martyr, killed in Israeli strikes on February 28. Some mourners called for revenge against U.S. President Donald Trump.
Khamenei assumed leadership in 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Under his tenure, Iran defied international sanctions to advance its nuclear program, build its missile arsenal, and foster regional militant alliances. Within Iran, he consolidated clerical rule, curtailed reform movements, and empowered the Revolutionary Guard. His rule was marked by increasing control over personal lives and dress codes, particularly as younger generations sought liberalization.
A significant turning point occurred in 2009 with the violent suppression of protests alleging vote rigging in the presidential elections. This event, and subsequent crackdowns on dissent, including the deadliest incident in January where security forces killed thousands during nationwide demonstrations, have fueled widespread hopelessness and discontent.
Iranian society is described as deeply divided, even among those opposing the Islamic Republic. "A gap has opened up in homes across the country that is really remarkable," one Tehran resident, who spoke anonymously due to security concerns, told The Associated Press. This division exists between hard-line supporters of the Islamic Republic and those advocating for its downfall, with a significant segment of the population potentially open to change within the existing system, according to a senior aide to President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Electoral turnout has seen a decline, with millions appearing to disengage from the voting process, viewing it as ineffective. Despite this, the hard-line candidate in the last presidential election received substantial votes, though the reformist candidate garnered more.
The economic impact of sanctions and mismanagement has been severe, particularly for working-class families struggling with rising prices and unemployment. The sister of a protester killed in January described Khamenei's legacy as "injustice" and detailed the devastating personal and financial toll on her family.
Despite the internal dissent, the Islamic Republic has demonstrated resilience, surviving Khamenei's death and a significant military assault. An interim deal with the U.S. following the war has offered potential economic benefits, including the prospect of sanctions relief, contingent on a final nuclear agreement.
However, uncertainty remains about the future, with internal factions vying to shape the direction of the Islamic Republic. While wartime provided a degree of cohesion, significant governance challenges persist. The heir apparent, Khamenei's son Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly offered tentative support for talks with the U.S. as Iran navigates its post-Khamenei era.