Ali Hoseini Hamnei

Ali Hoseini Hamnei, born on July 17, 1939, in Mashhad, Iran, is the Supreme Leader of Iran, a position he has held since 1989 following a tenure as President from 1981 to 1989. As the highest-ranking political and religious authority in Iran, Hamnei has significant influence over all branches of government and the military, often making headlines for his strong statements against Western nations, particularly the United States. He has been at the forefront of the Iranian government's response to ongoing protests and unrest, recently vowing to crack down on what he terms 'rioters' as public dissent grows amid economic turmoil.