A vast number of Iranians will singularly hold Ayatollah Khamenei, who first became leader in 1989, responsible for setting Iran on a collision course with Israel and the US that ultimately brought considerable ruin to his country and people.

Nearly a week after Israel's surprise attack on Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Iran will "NOT surrender," as Israel seeks to eliminate its nuclear program. "War will be met with war,

Iran’s supreme leader crushed internal threats during more than three decades in power. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei entrenched the system of rule by Shiite Muslim clerics.