Iran in the 1980s: A Decade of Revolution, War, and Social Turmoil

Following the war, Ayatollah Khomeini passed away in 1989, leading to a succession crisis and changes in leadership dynamics. His death marked a pivotal moment in Iranian history, as it opened the door to both reform and further repression, depending on the prevailing political winds. The subsequent leadership of Ali Khamenei was marked by efforts to stabilize the regime while simultaneously addressing some of the accumulation of grievances.