Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded to recent widespread protests with the harshest crackdown of his rule, resulting in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests. The unrest, fueled by economic hardship and anger at clerical rule, has exposed deep vulnerabilities within the country's leadership. At the same time, Khamenei faces external pressures, including the threat of American military action and the weakening of Iran's regional influence. Despite his iron grip on power, questions loom about the future of Iran's leadership as Khamenei ages, with uncertainty over succession and the potential for further instability.