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Ali Khamenei

Ali Khamenei
The latest news on Ali Khamenei, Iranian cleric, politician and Second Supreme leader of Iran, including Iranian political news and updates.
Born
19 Apr 1939
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Supreme Leader of Iran
An anti-US mural on a street in Tehran, pictured on January 3. US President Donald Trump has previously threatened the Iranian leadership directly. Photo: EPA
US-Venezuela conflict

Why Iran may not be the next Venezuela despite twin threat of protests and Trump

The volatile situation in the Middle East and the greater role played by China in the region may give the US pause for thought.

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Middle East

At least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests: rights groups

Middle East

Khamenei demands Iran rioters ‘be put in their place’ amid protests, Trump warning

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Middle East

UN Security Council rejects China and Russia’s bid to delay Iran sanctions

European leaders have triggered a ‘snapback’ mechanism after failing to reach a deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme following weeks of talks.

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A domestically built missile, called the “Khaibar-buster”, and banners showing portraits of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (centre) are displayed in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: AP
Nepal

Letters | From Nepal to Bangladesh, Gen Z’s passion must be paired with perspective

Readers discuss the potential for youth movements to descend into chaos, and China’s developing ties with Iran.

My Take

My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

The essential difference between the North Korean leader and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is that between the haves and the have-nots of the ultimate weapon.

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China-Middle East relations

Xi reiterates support for Iran nuclear programme amid Western pressure

Backing comes as Chinese president looks to challenge, reshape the US-led world order.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands on Monday in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Iran nuclear deal risks collapse over European demand for talks, inspection

The so-called E3 say they would trigger a clause of the 2015 nuclear deal to reimpose sanctions against Iran if it fails to comply.

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Middle East

Iran says US accountability for attacks must be part of talks

Iran said it will hold the US accountable for attacks on its nuclear sites in any future talks, a demand Washington has dismissed as ‘ridiculous’.

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US-Iran tensions

US Treasury hits Iranian shipping network with major new sanctions

The sanctions broadly target the shipping interests of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, whose father is an adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei.

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US President Donald Trump, left, and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Iran blames Europe for nuclear deal failure ahead of first talks since US strikes

Iran has accused European powers of non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, contributing to its collapse ahead of talks in Istanbul on Friday.

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Pictures of Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, at a cemetery in southern Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Israel-Iran conflict

US-Iran nuclear talks ‘won’t take place’ if conditioned on stopping enrichment

The talks have stalled since the US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

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Middle East

Iran open to US nuclear talks, but demands ‘assurance’ against further attacks

This demand follows last month’s Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and a US strike, complicating negotiations and reaffirming Iran’s uranium enrichment plans.

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Israel-Iran conflict

‘They did try’: Iranian president says Israel attempted to assassinate him

Iran’s Pezeshkian tells Tucker Carlson about alleged attempt on his life, and blames Israel’s Netanyahu for ‘forever wars’ in Middle East.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. File photo: Iranian Presidency via dpa
Israel-Iran conflict

Iran’s supreme leader makes first public appearance since war with Israel began

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, thought to have been under heavy security during the conflict, attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura.

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the audience during a mourning ceremony in Tehran. Photo: Supreme Leader’s office via AFP
Iran

Did the US really ‘obliterate’ Iran’s nuclear ambitions, or just UN oversight?

The whereabouts of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium is now a mystery. The UN’s nuclear watchdog says it has ‘nothing’ to go on.

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Middle East

Trump not offering Iran ‘anything’, nor speaking to Tehran

The statement comes as Iran’s deputy foreign minister told the BBC talks between Washington and Tehran cannot resume unless the US rules out further strikes on Iran.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Opinion | Decoding Israel, Iran and China’s collision of interests in the Middle East

The conflict exposed a harsh reality for Iran: strategic alliances with China and Russia do not guarantee military backing.

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Smoke billows from an explosion in central Tehran on June 15 following an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Why China may be keeping a close eye as Trump gets drawn into the Middle East

China may gain in long term as Iran strikes reveal US retreat from stable leadership, but ‘sudden’ move from Beijing unlikely, analyst says.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Thousands mourn Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes

Crowds chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ as the caskets were driven through downtown Tehran.

Israel-Iran conflict

‘Disrespectful and unacceptable’: Iran slams Trump’s claims of saving Khamenei

Iranians ‘do not take kindly to threats and insults’, foreign minister warns.

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A flag with the portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is waved during Friday’s funeral procession of 15 people killed in Israeli strikes. Photo: ISNA/AFP
Israel-Iran conflict

Trump says he’ll bomb Iran again if nuclear activities start

The US president said he saved Supreme Leader Khamenei from assassination and lashed out at him for not saying ‘thank you’.

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US President Donald Trump gestures as he gives a press conference during the Nato summit at the Hague on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Israel-Iran conflict

Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, despite Trump’s announcement

Iran’s foreign minister rejects ‘speculation’ of talks, despite US president’s claim of discussions ‘next week’.

Israel-Iran conflict

Iran delivered ‘slap to America’s face’ with Qatar attack, says supreme leader

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s pre-recorded speech was filled with warnings and threats directed towards the US and Israel.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Battered Iran faces uncertain future after 12-day war with Israel

Decimated military ranks and mauled alliances might push Tehran to openly pursue a nuclear bomb or renewed talks with the US.

The damaged Tehran headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. Photo: AP
Israel-Iran conflict

Iran’s ‘paper tiger’ leadership will fall, Nobel peace laureate Ebadi predicts

The lawyer, who is known for her work defending human rights, thinks Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be toppled in a peaceful revolution.

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An Iranian carries a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-Israeli rally in Tehran on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

My Take | Congratulations to Iran and the occasional flash of Trump genius

US president and the ayatollah deserve a joint Nobel Peace Prize for averting a third world war or at least Iraq 2.0, if general ceasefire holds.

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My Take

My Take | Is it time for change in Iran? Leave it to Iranians to decide

The US should not intervene in Iranian domestic politics, but that does not mean Iran should not consider change.

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