Ayatollah Khomeini was named TIME magazine's Man of the Year.

The claim that Ayatollah Khomeini was named TIME magazine's Man of the Year is widely supported by numerous sources, all indicating that he received this recognition in 1979. Although all provided sources are marked as [Niet-Trusted], they consistently affirm this fact, referencing the political upheaval in Iran and Khomeini’s central role in the Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis. TIME’s Man of the Year is traditionally awarded to the person deemed most influential or impactful during the year, regardless of positive or negative connotations, which explains Khomeini’s selection amid controversy. No sources contradict the claim, and the consistency across multiple independent mentions, including references to TIME covers and historical retrospectives, strongly supports the claim’s accuracy.