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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

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

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.

27 Sep 2025 - 4:55AMvideocam

Nepal

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14 Sep 2025 - 11:30AM

My Take

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

7 Sep 2025 - 9:00PM

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.

3 Sep 2025 - 12:35AMvideocam

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.

26 Aug 2025 - 6:30PM

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’.

4 Aug 2025 - 8:02PMvideocam

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.

31 Jul 2025 - 4:38AMvideocam

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.

21 Jul 2025 - 7:29PMvideocam

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.

15 Jul 2025 - 11:35AMvideocam

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.

12 Jul 2025 - 11:35PMvideocam

Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise. Photo: West Asia News Agency/Reuters

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.

8 Jul 2025 - 3:56PM

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.

6 Jul 2025 - 12:25PMvideocam

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.

5 Jul 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

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.

30 Jun 2025 - 8:00PM

US President Donald Trump attends a press conference following the Nato summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, on June 25. Photo: Xinhua

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.

29 Jun 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

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.

29 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

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.

29 Jun 2025 - 3:32AM

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.

28 Jun 2025 - 2:15PMvideocam

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’.

28 Jun 2025 - 5:10AMvideocam

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’.

27 Jun 2025 - 4:24PM

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.

27 Jun 2025 - 3:06AMvideocam

Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised speech, under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP

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.

26 Jun 2025 - 2:55PM

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.

26 Jun 2025 - 8:24AMvideocam

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.

25 Jun 2025 - 9:00PM

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.

24 Jun 2025 - 9:17PMvideocam

Vehicles drive past a mural showing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (top left) and his predecessor, late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran on June 24. Photo: EPA-EFE

The Philippines

Indo-Pacific or Middle East? US dilemma leaves Philippines exposed

As US attention and resources pivot to a volatile Middle East, experts warn of a strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific.

24 Jun 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

Supporters of regime change in Iran rally outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, on Monday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Israel-Iran conflict

Iran approves general plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA

Iran said submitting reports to the UN nuclear watchdog is suspended while the security of nuclear facilities is not guaranteed.

24 Jun 2025 - 4:44AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Strait of Hormuz: why China fears Israel-Iran war poses threat to global economy

As fears mount that Tehran could block strategic chokepoint, Beijing urges calm to protect global energy trade.

23 Jun 2025 - 7:25PMvideocam

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Ali Khamenei

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.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | From Nepal to Bangladesh, Gen Z’s passion must be paired with perspective

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

Xi reiterates support for Iran nuclear programme amid Western pressure

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

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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’.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indo-Pacific or Middle East? US dilemma leaves Philippines exposed

As US attention and resources pivot to a volatile Middle East, experts warn of a strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific.

Iran approves general plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA

Iran said submitting reports to the UN nuclear watchdog is suspended while the security of nuclear facilities is not guaranteed.

Strait of Hormuz: why China fears Israel-Iran war poses threat to global economy

As fears mount that Tehran could block strategic chokepoint, Beijing urges calm to protect global energy trade.

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

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