Ali Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader in 1989, after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, with his leadership formally beginning that year.

When did Khamenei become Supreme Leader?

Key Dates in Brief

  • June 4, 1989 – Khamenei was chosen as Acting Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts immediately after Khomeini’s death.
  • August 6, 1989 – After constitutional changes were approved in a late-July referendum, he was officially elected as the permanent Supreme Leader.

So, in everyday terms, when people ask “when did Khamenei become Supreme Leader?” , the simple answer is:

He became Supreme Leader of Iran in 1989 , following Khomeini’s death, with his formal, permanent appointment finalized on 6 August 1989.

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