The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest political and religious authority in the country. Currently, this position is held by Ali Khamenei, who succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The Supreme Leader is responsible for setting the overall domestic and foreign policies of Iran, commanding the armed forces, and making key decisions on matters of national security. He also has significant influence over the judiciary and the media. The position is based on the principle of "Velayat-e Faqih," or Guardianship of the Jurist, which posits that a qualified religious scholar should rule in the absence of the Imam.
