His doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih remains central to Iran’s political structure, even decades after his death. Successors like Ali Khamenei continue to invoke Khomeini’s teachings as a guidepost for governance. Yet, amid a new generation’s demands for reform, his ideas are increasingly debated and contested.
Conclusion
Ruhollah Khomeini’s life and leadership reshaped not only the course of Iranian history but also the broader Islamic world. From his modest beginnings in rural Iran to his role as the supreme architect of a modern theocracy, Khomeini’s journey reflects a unique confluence of spiritual authority and political power. Though he died over three decades ago, the impact of his ideas—and the regime he helped construct—continues to echo across the Middle East. Whether hailed as a liberator or condemned as a tyrant, his legacy remains inseparable from the modern history of Iran.
Life Under Khomeini
On 1 February 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile, greeted by a massive, jubilant crowd in Tehran. In his speech at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, he made sweeping promises of justice, equity, and dignity for all Iranians. He spoke of a new Islamic order, free of tyranny, promising a popularly elected government, freedom from poverty, and a dignified life for every citizen. Yet, in the years that followed, life under Khomeini’s rule bore stark contrast to these early commitments.