The war with Iraq, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, exacted a heavy toll on Iran's economy and society, leading to widespread suffering and sacrifice. The government's crackdown on dissent and imposition of strict Islamic laws also generated internal opposition and unrest, particularly among secularists, women, and ethnic minorities. Khomeini's death in 1989 marked the end of an era in Iranian politics and religion. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has continued his legacy of conservative Islamic governance, but also faces mounting pressure from a restive population that demands greater political freedoms, economic opportunities, and social justice. The reformist movement led by figures such as Mohammad Khatami and Mir Hossein Mousavi has sought to challenge the authoritarian aspects of the Islamic Republic and push for greater democracy and civil liberties.
