A Look At Iran's Key Political And Religious Figures

The U.S. and Israel launched a awesome onslaught connected Iran connected Saturday, and President Trump called connected nan Iranian nationalist to “seize power of your destiny” by rising up against nan Islamic activity that has ruled nan federation since 1979.

Since Israel’s caller assassination of respective apical Iranian subject officials and atomic scientists, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could beryllium next, and that sidesplitting him could topple Tehran’s full leadership.

Some Israeli officials reported Saturday that Khamenei had been killed, but Iran denied that and nan United States did not instantly corroborate it. There was nary contiguous accusation connected whether immoderate different Iranian officials had died. Even if Iran’s apical leaders were killed, authorities alteration is not guaranteed.

Here is simply a look astatine Iran’s apical governmental and belief leaders.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

In 1989, Khamenei became Iran’s ultimate leader aft nan decease of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, nan laminitis of nan Islamic Republic of Iran. Khamenei played an important domiciled successful nan activity that overthrew U.S.-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi successful nan 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The 86-year-old Khamenei is Iran’s commandant successful chief, who has nan last opportunity connected each argumentation and belief matters. Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, nan unit that safeguards nan Islamic Republic, answers straight to him.

Khamenei has been successful complaint during erstwhile crackdowns connected protesters successful Iran. He precocious said Iran was fresh to retaliate against immoderate American attack.

One of nan first strikes Saturday deed adjacent Khamenei’s offices. It wasn’t instantly clear wherever Khamenei was astatine nan time; he hadn’t been seen for days.

President Masoud Pezeshkian

The president of Iran is broadly seen arsenic a reformist. A erstwhile bosom surgeon, Pezeshkian took agency connected July 28, 2024. The president is nan second-highest ranking charismatic successful Iran, acting arsenic nan caput of authorities that handles regular administration, economical argumentation and implements nan ultimate leader’s decrees.

Iranians elite a president and parliament for four-year terms.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Iran’s overseas curate is simply a longtime diplomat and was a cardinal negotiator successful nan now-defunct 2015 atomic woody pinch nan U.S. and different world powers. He was appointed connected Aug. 21, 2024.

Days earlier Saturday’s attack, Araghchi warned that a conflict pinch nan U.S. would beryllium “a devastating war” and reiterated Tehran’s liking successful a serene solution up of this week’s high-stakes talks.

Ali Larijani, Khamenei advisor connected nationalist policy

Larijani hails from 1 of Iran’s astir celebrated governmental families. A erstwhile parliamentary speaker and elder argumentation advisor, he was appointed to counsel Khamenei connected strategy successful atomic talks pinch nan Trump administration.

In January, nan U.S. imposed a caller information of sanctions against Iranian officials, including Larijani, who were accused of repressing nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocratic government.

The U.S. Treasury Department accused him of being 1 of nan first officials to telephone for unit against Iranian protesters.

Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi

A blimpish jurist and hard-line prosecutor, Mohseni Ejehi has been main justness since 2021. He is wide regarded arsenic a Khamenei loyalist.

Mohseni Ejehi was quoted by authorities media successful January arsenic saying that location would beryllium “no leniency” for those down nan activity of unrest.

Assembly of Experts caput Mohammad-Ali Movahedi Kermani

Movahedi Kermani is nan caput of nan 88-seat clerical assemblage responsible for appointing nan adjacent ultimate leader. The Assembly of Experts is Iran’s type of nan Vatican’s College of Cardinals.

Secretary of Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati

Jannati is nan de facto leader of Iran’s Guardian Council, a 12-member assemblage that vets candidates for agency arsenic good arsenic legislation, and rules retired individuals it believes are incompatible pinch Iran’s Islamic theocratic system. It consists of six Islamic theologians and six ineligible experts.

The assembly tin disqualify statesmanlike candidates who are perceived arsenic not being aligned pinch nan ultimate leader.

Khamenei Chief of Staff Mohammad Golpayegani

Golpayegani is an Islamic cleric and longtime confidant of Khamenei. He heads nan ultimate leader’s office.

Ali Akbar Velayati, Khamenei advisor connected world affairs

A expert by training, Velayati was antecedently Iran’s overseas curate and is simply a apical advisor to Khamenei connected world affairs. He is progressive successful nan country’s atomic policy.

Kamal Kharazi, Khamenei advisor connected overseas policy

Kharazi is simply a trusted advisor to Khamenei connected overseas policy, particularly during nan caller atomic talks pinch Washington.

A erstwhile diplomat and overseas minister, Kharazi antecedently represented Iran astatine nan United Nations. He has held galore governmental, negotiated and world posts.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref

Aref is considered nan highest-ranking reformist successful nan executive branch of Iran’s government. He serves arsenic nan superior lawman to nan president and leads Cabinet meetings erstwhile nan president is absent. He liaises betwixt nan president and parliament.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

A erstwhile politician of Tehran and Revolutionary Guard general, Ghalibaf was reelected parliamentary speaker connected May 27, 2025. He is simply a blimpish leader who was linked to crackdowns connected student protests successful 1999 and 2003.

Tehran Friday dream Imam Ahmad Khatami

Khatami belongs to Iran’s 12-member Guardian Council and is an influential dream leader and belief fig loyal to nan ultimate leader. He is simply a personnel of nan Assembly of Experts and has agelong been known for his hard-line views.

In January, Khatami called for nan decease punishment for protesters detained successful nan nationwide crackdown, and described those taking portion successful nan unrest arsenic “butlers” of Netanyahu and “Trump’s soldiers.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, boy of nan ultimate leader

Khamenei’s second-oldest boy is simply a mid-ranking cleric and nan ultimate leader’s rumored successor. He has adjacent ties pinch nan Revolutionary Guard. He served successful nan equipped forces during nan Iran-Iraq warfare and is said to wield power down nan scenes arsenic his father’s gatekeeper.

Naishadham writes for nan Associated Press.