Khamenei, Ali
Person/Entity:
Person
Sanctioned:
No
Background:
Supreme leader (1989–present). Holds ultimate authority over and responsibility for all policy making and the national- and internal-security systems. Directly ordered the crackdown on the 2019 gas protests, telling security officials, "The Islamic Republic is in danger. Do whatever it takes to end it. You have my order." About 1,500 people were killed, including 400 women and at least 17 teenagers, according to three Iranian interior ministry officials who spoke to Reuters.1
Sources: