Khamenei faces gravest crisis of his 36-year rule - Reuters
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is facing what Reuters described as “the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule,” as his envoys race to avert threatened US airstrikes through ongoing talks and an embittered population struggles under a sanctions-hit economy and deadly unrest.
Reuters said the 86-year-old has crushed internal unrest, sidelined rivals and built regional alliances to challenge the West, and that his “fierce devotion to the Islamic Republic” and implacable hostility to the United States would shape Iran’s response as tensions rise.
The profile said Khamenei’s record of guile in prolonging negotiations and his control over all branches of government have helped him survive past foreign pressure while maintaining ultimate authority.
