Supreme Leader of Iran
"America cannot do a damn thing."
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was one of the 20th century's most consequential revolutionaries — a Shia cleric who overthrew a US-backed monarchy and transformed Iran into an Islamic theocracy. When Saddam invaded Iran in 1980, Khomeini transformed the war from a territorial conflict into a religious crusade, urging Iranian youth to achieve martyrdom. His insistence on continuing the war after Iran had driven Iraq from its territory — demanding Saddam's removal as a condition of peace — cost Iran hundreds of thousands of additional lives for nothing. He accepted the UN ceasefire in 1988 in a radio address he described as 'more deadly than drinking poison.' He died nine months later. His legacy — the Islamic Republic, Hezbollah, Hamas funding, the nuclear program — continues to shape the Middle East.
Did you know?
Khomeini returned from 14 years of exile on February 1, 1979, on an Air France flight. Millions lined the streets of Tehran. When asked by a journalist how he felt about returning to his homeland, he replied: 'Nothing.'
March 22–29, 1982 · 25,000 total casualties
Undeniable Victory shifted the strategic momentum entirely to Iran and marked the point where the war could have ended — but didn't. Khomeini's refusal to accept a ceasefire, his demand for reparations and Saddam's removal, transformed what could have been an honorable Iranian peace into a war of aggression against Iraq. This decision cost Iran hundreds of thousands more lives and ultimately achieved nothing.
February 9–26, 1986 · 30,000 total casualties
The capture of Faw represented Iran's high-water mark in the war. Iran now controlled Iraqi territory and had a potential path to Basra. The threat caused Iraq to dramatically escalate its use of chemical weapons and the US to increase its support for Iraq. Faw was also the operation that proved Human Wave tactics could be replaced by more sophisticated combined-arms approaches.
September 24, 1902
🌅 Birth
Born in Khomein, Iran
1920s–1970s
📚 Education
Taught at Qom seminary; developed revolutionary Islamic theory
1964–1979
milestone
Exiled by Shah; lived in Iraq then Paris; spread revolution via cassette tapes
February 1, 1979
milestone
Returned from exile; millions line the streets of Tehran
1980–1988
⚔️ Battle
Directed Iran-Iraq War; refused ceasefire; sent boys to die clearing minefields
June 3, 1989
✝️ Death
Died in Tehran; 8 million attended his funeral — largest in history