Khomeini

Leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Life

Cleric of Qom

Khomeini was born in Khomeyn in central Iran, studied at the religious seminaries of Qom, and became a senior Shia cleric.

Fifteen years in exile

In 1963 he publicly opposed the king's White Revolution and American influence, and the following year he was exiled, living in turn in Turkey, Iraq and France. During this time he developed the theory of the "Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist," which held that religious scholars should lead the state. Recordings of his speeches circulated widely inside Iran.

Islamic Revolution

In February 1979 he returned from Paris, led the founding of the Islamic Republic, and became Supreme Leader. He led Iran through the hostage crisis and the Iran–Iraq War, and died in 1989.

Legacy

The theocratic system Khomeini established profoundly transformed Iran and affected the entire Middle East; opinions of him are sharply divided both inside and outside Iran.

Major works & achievements

• Islamic Government

Did you know? On the day he returned to Iran, an estimated several million people poured into the streets of Tehran to welcome him.

Key dates

• 1963Publicly opposes the White Revolution
• 1964Exiled
• 1978Moves to Paris
• 1979Returns home and founds the Islamic Republic
• 1988Accepts the Iran–Iraq ceasefire
• 1989Died