What Happened to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini?

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, born on September 24, 1902, in Khomeyn, Iran, rose from a respected Shi'i cleric to become the revolutionary leader who transformed Iran into an Islamic Republic. His early life was marked by religious education in Qom, where he became a prominent scholar and began to articulate his opposition to the Western-backed Pahlavi monarchy. His outspoken criticism of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's modernization programs, particularly the 'White Revolution,' led to his arrest in 1963 and subsequent exile in 1964, first to Turkey and then to Najaf, Iraq. During his 14 years in exile, Khomeini refined his theory of velāyat-e faqīh ('guardianship of the jurist'), advocating for a government led by religious scholars, which would become the ideological cornerstone of the future Islamic Republic.

The Iranian Revolution culminated in 1979 when massive demonstrations and civil unrest forced the Shah to flee, and Khomeini returned to Iran in triumph on February 1, 1979. He swiftly established a provisional government, and a national referendum in April overwhelmingly supported the creation of an Islamic Republic. Khomeini was named rahbar, or Supreme Leader, a position he held until his death. His rule saw the implementation of strict Islamic laws, the suppression of internal opposition, and the protracted Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), which he insisted on prolonging. He also issued a fatwa against author Salman Rushdie in 1989 for his novel 'The Satanic Verses.'

Khomeini passed away on June 3, 1989, in Tehran, after a decade of leading the Islamic Republic. His funeral was an unprecedented event, with over 10 million mourners flooding the streets, making it one of the largest funerals in history. Following his death, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was selected as his successor, ensuring the continuity of the clerical rule.

Even in 2026, Khomeini's influence remains pervasive. His political and religious doctrine, often referred to as Khomeinism, continues to guide the Iranian regime's policies, both domestically and internationally. The concept of 'resistance' against perceived external enemies, particularly the United States and Israel, a theme central to Khomeini's rhetoric, is still a defining feature of Iran's foreign policy. For instance, in June 2026, his grandson, Hassan Khomeini, a prominent reformist voice, referenced the 'greater jihad' in the context of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding, highlighting the ongoing relevance of Khomeini's ideological framework in contemporary political discourse. Furthermore, the debate surrounding Iran's nuclear doctrine in 2026 still references Khomeini's initial suspension of the nuclear program after the revolution.

While his legacy is revered by the state, there are signs of public discontent. A video from March 2026 reportedly showed a crowd toppling a monument dedicated to Ruhollah Khomeini amidst protests following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, indicating a complex and sometimes contentious relationship between the populace and the foundational symbols of the Islamic Republic. Despite these challenges, the Iranian regime's resilience, even after the death of Ali Khamenei in 2026, is often attributed to its deep ideological roots in Khomeini's vision, rather than solely a cult of personality. His mausoleum south of Tehran remains a significant pilgrimage site, symbolizing his enduring presence in the nation's religious and political landscape.