Ayatollah Khamenei’s Politics of Martyrdom
Foreign Policy
by Arash ReisinezhadFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, is unlikely to ever accept unconditional surrender to the United States, as suggested by a persistent assumption in Washington. This refusal does not stem from misreading the balance of power or underestimating economic damage but rather from his deeply held worldview. For Khamenei, surrender is an existential issue tied to his identity and the continuity of the Islamic Revolution. He views resistance not as a tactical adjustment but as a core aspect of his personal and political identity, forged through decades of struggle against the shah, imprisonment, and the Iran-Iraq War.
Khamenei’s ideological stance is rooted in the belief that the Islamic Revolution remains an unfinished struggle. For him, turmoil is not an aberration but a formative force, reflected in his admiration for works like Mikhail Sholokhov’s *And Quiet Flows the Don*. The novel’s themes of survival and honor resonate with Khamenei’s perspective, where resistance under pressure is not irrational stubbornness but a fidelity to self and revolution. This mindset shapes his view of sanctions, sabotage, and confrontation as proof that the revolution remains alive.
Additionally, historical legacies weigh heavily on Khamenei’s decision-making. The 1988 Iran-Iraq War ceasefire, accepted by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini under immense pressure, left a complicated legacy. For Khamenei, this episode symbolizes endurance but also the risks of concession. Having inherited power in 1989 without Khomeini’s charisma or clerical authority, Khamenei has spent decades solidifying his position by emphasizing resistance and continuity with the revolutionary ideals. Any surrender would be seen as a betrayal of these principles.
Understanding Khamenei’s mindset is crucial for grasping Iran’s foreign policy and its refusal to capitulate under external pressure. His views are not just about avoiding defeat but maintaining the revolution’s identity and legacy. This matters deeply to readers interested in international politics, as it sheds light on Iran’s unwavering stance against U.S. pressures and its broader strategy of resistance.
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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/24/2026