Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran (a theocratic and oppressive government) from 1989 until his death in February 2026.

Khamenei’s 36-year rule of Iran was characterized by extreme political repression, violent crackdowns on protests, systemic human rights abuses, and the funding of terrorist organizations. His regime was responsible for torturing, raping, and executing dissidents— particularly in 2009, 2022, and 2026. Mahsa “Jina” Amini, a 22 year old girl, was killed in 2022 for not wearing a hijab. Just one of the victims of Khamenei’s radical Islamist ideologies, her death led to the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in 2022. These protests were crushed with a “disproportionate use of lethal force” by Khomeini per the UN leaving 500 dead, many maimed, and thousands arrested. His regime had the highest per capita execution rate in 2024. In early 2026, his regime massacred 36,000+ Iranians. The defining chants of his government: “Death to America. Death to Israel.” For all this, I will loudly say: “Down with the ayatollah!” & celebrate that Khamenei is gone. Wherever you may feel about the Trump administration or middle eastern politics, the world is now rid of a despicable tyrant.

I am hopeful for the people of Iran for a far better tomorrow— a day of Woman, Life, Freedom.