Editing Ayatollah Ali Khamene (section)

== Role as Supreme Leader ==
As Supreme Leader, Khamenei holds ultimate authority over Iran's political and religious affairs, as outlined in the Iranian Constitution. His responsibilities include:

* Appointing key officials, such as the heads of the judiciary, military, and state media.
* Overseeing the Guardian Council, which vets candidates for elected offices.
* Guiding Iran's foreign policy, including its stance on international relations and regional conflicts.

Khamenei has maintained a hardline stance on issues such as Iran's nuclear ambitions, support for regional allies like Hezbollah and the Syrian government, and opposition to Western influence, particularly from the United States and Israel. Domestically, he has emphasized self-reliance (''eqtesad-e moghavemati'', or "resistance economy") and Islamic values while facing criticism for suppressing dissent and limiting political freedoms.