Kebijakan Politik Ali Khamenei dan Implikasinya terhadap Stabilitas Regional di Timur Tengah

Abstract

This article examines the political policies of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, and their implications for regional stability in the Middle East. Employing a qualitative-descriptive approach through literature review, the study highlights how the ideology of Wilayah al-Faqih, anti-Western discourse, and support for non-state actors such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis shape Iran’s foreign policy strategy. Khamenei’s policies not only reinforce his domestic legitimacy but also generate new geopolitical dynamics, including the Iran–Saudi rivalry and Iran’s involvement in the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The findings reveal that Khamenei’s approach is both expansionist and confrontational, intensifying sectarian tensions, driving realignments in the region (such as the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states), and provoking strong responses from the United States and its allies. The article concludes that while these policies consolidate Iran’s regional influence, they largely exert negative impacts on regional stability. This study contributes to the scholarship on Islamic politics and international relations by demonstrating how ideology and individual leadership can reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.