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

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

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Israel-Iran conflict

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

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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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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.

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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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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US President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House earlier this year. Photo: EPA-EFE
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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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The conflict exposed a harsh reality for Iran: strategic alliances with China and Russia do not guarantee military backing.

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A woman walks past a damaged building in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday following Israeli strikes on the city. Photo: AFP
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.

Crowds gather in Tehran on Saturday for the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes. Photo: WANA via Reuters
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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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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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’.

A poster showing US assessments of damage to Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility is removed following a Pentagon news conference on Thursday. Photo: AFP
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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5
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.

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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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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People attend a protest against the US’ attack on Iran’s nuclear sites in Tehran on June 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters
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Israel-Iran conflict

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

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

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A cargo ship cruises towards the Strait of Hormuz off the shores of Khasab in Oman on January 15, 2012. Photo: AFP
Israel-Iran conflict

Trump’s Iran strikes: risky bet on ‘peace’ or a recipe for wider war?

It remained to be seen whether the attacks mark the totality of direct US involvement in the conflict or the opening salvo of a larger campaign.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Iran’s Khamenei making preparations for successor, US news report says

The supreme leader has named three possible replacements in case he is assassinated by Israel, the article says, citing Iranian officials.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Israel, Iran exchange fresh attacks in week-old air war amid new diplomatic push

Iran’s top diplomat heads for crucial talks with European counterparts as Trump delays decision on Iran strike.

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An Israeli fighter jet flies above Beersheba, southern Israel. Photo: EPA-EFE
Israel-Iran conflict

Explainer | What are the nuclear contamination risks from Israel’s attacks on Iran?

Damage has been reported to sites at Natanz, Isfahan, Arak and Tehran, in what Israel says is a bid to stop Iran from building an atomic bomb.

This satellite image shows damage at the Iranian nuclear facility at Arak in central Iran, after an Israeli strike. Photo: Maxar Technologies via AFP
Israel-Iran conflict

If Iran’s Khamenei falls, what would replace him?

Iranian opposition is divided and there is no guarantee new rulers would be any less hardline, analysts say.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Putin ‘doesn’t wish to discuss’ idea that Israel could kill Iran’s Khamenei

The Russian president also says he is willing to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky, but only in the ‘final phase’ of peace talks.

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