Why did Ayatollah Ali Khamenei keep his right hand hidden?
The ‘paralysed hand’ that became a symbol of power
Years before becoming Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei survived a dramatic assassination attempt that left his right hand permanently paralysed — an injury that later became part of his powerful public image.
On June 27, 1981, while serving as the President, Khamenei was addressing worshippers at a mosque after returning from the Iran-Iraq war frontlines. During the interaction, a man placed what appeared to be a tape recorder on a desk in front of him. Minutes later, the device emitted a sharp sound and exploded.
The blast severely injured Khamenei, damaging nerves in his arm and leaving his hand paralysed for life. Inside the device, investigators reportedly found a message claiming responsibility from the Furqan Group, a militant faction opposed to Iran’s clerical leadership.
The failed assassination not only reshaped his physical life but also became a defining chapter in the story of his political rise.
Khamenei survived the assassination on a Saturday, however, decades later, another Saturday got him.
