36 Years, 8 Months, and 26 Days

The man standing behind the microphone is the Leader of Iran, positioned beside the very trees he planted himself each year on March 5th during Iran's Tree Planting Day. This is the courtyard adjacent to the modest residence of Iran's Leader. This photograph captures his final tree-planting on March 5, 2025. With the help of his injured hand, he set the sapling into the earth, gently patted the earth over it, and then watered it.

The leadership tenure of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei spanned 36 years, 8 months, and 26 days. The people of Iran were guided by his leadership from June 4, 1989 until February 28, 2026. In the very first months of assuming office, he defined the core objective of the Iranian people's Revolution:

"The goal of all the struggles waged by the Iranian nation under the leadership of our magnanimous Imam [Khomeini], leading to the victory of the Revolution, was to establish the Islamic hayat-e tayyibah – the pure and good life." (February 1, 1990)

Throughout these years, his endeavor was to build an Iran that was not dependent on others; and in pursuit of this goal, the single most critical task was "severing the hands of the United States." (October 5, 2000). Under the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian people chose the path of self-respect. They traversed a challenging road and paid heavy prices, yet they never stopped:

"We must never grow weary. You have heard the Quranic verse, 'So when you have finished [your duty], labor on.' When you find respite from a task – meaning your work is finished – stand tall once again and begin the next task. There is no stopping." (September 18, 2012)

Sanctions, assassinations, war – none of these could halt the Iranian nation. Under his leadership, the people of Iran always found a way to solve every problem. This relentless spirit frustrated Iran's enemies, who, in the words of the martyred Leader stated, seek to devour Iran.

Throughout these years, he consistently strove to enlighten the minds of the Iranian people regarding the path they had chosen, delivering approximately 2,500 detailed speeches. He dedicated immense time to engaging directly with the public.

Ultimately, he brought Iran to a position that is best described in his own words:

"The world used to be in the hands of two major powers: the United States and the Soviet Union. Both powers agreed on one issue, and that was standing against the Islamic Republic. Imam Khomeini (ra) stood against them, he didn’t surrender. He clearly stated, 'Neither East, nor West.' They didn’t think it was possible. They thought they could uproot this young sapling. That young sapling is today a mighty, strong tree. They dare not think about uprooting it!" (October 14, 2022)

The American-Zionist enemy bombarded the Leader of Iran, this simple house, its trees, and its residents with missiles. They sought to remove the greatest obstacle standing in the way of devouring Iran. Yet, throughout his 86 years, 10 months, and 11 days of life, Sayyid Ali Khamenei had nurtured the sapling of his own being in such a way as to cultivate individuals who, after him, knew exactly how to continue his path and protect the mighty tree of Iran's Islamic Revolution.