Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah (1900–1989)
Iranian Shiite Muslim leader. Exiled from 1964 for his opposition to Shah Pahlavi, he returned when the shah left the country in 1979, and established a fundamentalist Islamic republic. His rule was marked by a protracted war with Iraq, and suppression of opposition within Iran, executing thousands of opponents.
| Khomeini was hostile toward both superpowers, held US embassy hostages 1979–81, and supported terrorist groups. |
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