Janhit: Ayatollah Khamenei Emerges as Iran's Hero? Amid Ceasefire, Defying US Pressure | ABP NEWS

As US President Donald Trump took to social media and press briefings to claim credit for ending the Iran-Israel conflict, another figure quietly emerged as the symbolic hero of the war—Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Despite US airstrikes and Israel’s military aggression, Khamenei refused to bow down. His message to the Iranian people remained clear: “Iran does not surrender.” Following Iran's missile strike on a US military base in Qatar, Khamenei reaffirmed his nation’s stance—resistance over retreat. Even in the face of global isolation, including limited support from other Islamic nations, Khamenei remained defiant. Countries like Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon backed Iran, while powerful Gulf states sided with the West. For over 40 years, Khamenei has led Iran as both its Supreme Leader and a revered Shia cleric. He rose through revolution, having started as a vocal critic of US interference during the 1979 uprising. His leadership has kept Iran’s ideological core intact despite decades of sanctions and wars. By strongly supporting Palestine and standing against Israel, Khamenei has also earned credibility among Sunni populations. In a divided Middle East, he has now positioned Iran not just as a country—but as a claimant to Islamic leadership.

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