Latest news with #AyatollahKhomeini
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Ali Khamenei was born in Mashhad, Iran, in 1939, as the second son of a local religious leader, Javad Khamenei, and he grew up in relative poverty. He learned to read the Qur'an in early childhood before attending a theological seminary school in Mashhad. At 18, he travelled to Najaf in central Iraq to study Shia jurisprudence, but was later asked by his father to return. He was a student of Ayatollah Hossein Borujerdi and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. There is not much known about Khamenei's family life, except that he is married and has six children. Khamenei's interest in poetry is a well-known part of his public persona. He often cites poems in his speeches and hosts poetry gatherings where pro-government poets gather to read their poems to receive his comments. Khamenei's interest in literature is quite rare among religious clerics. The same goes for his interest in gardening. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. In the 1960s and 1970s Khamenei was involved in protests against the US-backed monarchy (the shah), and was an ardent supporter of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then living in exile, and against the 'westernisation' of Iran. This led to his arrest by the shah's secret police and intelligence operation, the Organisation of National Security and Information (Savak), which suppressed opposition to the shah. Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the monarch who ruled Iran until 1979, was backed by western powers including the US and the UK. After a decade of economic growth in Iran, mainly based on oil revenues, did not lead to an improvement in the standard of living for ordinary Iranians, a combination of students, intellectuals and clerics created combined support for a revolution. After the shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution, Iran became an Islamic republic. Khamenei was appointed as a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Council, which was put in place to manage the revolution, and served as deputy defence minister and led Friday prayers in Tehran, which was considered highly prestigious. The new republic adopted an anti-western 'imperialist' foreign policy. This is known as 'global arrogance' (Estekbar Jahani) in Iranian post-revolutionary discourse. In 1982, he was elected president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, winning 95% of the vote, after the previous president, Mohammad Ali Rajai, was killed in a bomb attack in Tehran. Khamenei had been the target of an assassination attempt two months earlier, leaving him with serious injuries and paralysis in his right arm. Iran's war with neighbouring Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, lasted from 1980 to 1988 and is known in Iran as the 'sacred defence'. The war began after an invasion by Iraqi troops on Iranian territory and resulted in around one million deaths across both countries. This was another significant period in Khamenei's career. He was active in managing Iran's defence as the chairman of the supreme council of war support during this period. The council was formed to make sure the country was as prepared as possible during the war and to take measures to mobilise forces and to meet the needs of the war at the battlefront. Read more: He also commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite part of the Iranian armed forces, from 1981. At the end of the war, Khamenei claimed Iran had won a 'luminous victory'. He praised Khomeini for his tactics in the war and said that the supreme leader had realised from the very beginning that it was not an ordinary conflict between two neighbours. 'He recognised the enemy and realised that the main enemy is not present in the war, and he recognised that Saddam is just a tool.' He went on to suggest that this was a war about US regional power and that Saddam Hussein would continue to receive US support. Khamenei became supreme leader in 1989 after the death of Khomeini. He was designated as the new leader by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body of Islamic clerics. He ruled in the same style, and with the same type of foreign policy, as his predecessor; looking for allies to offset US power in the region. The duties designated for the rahbar (supreme leader) are listed in Article 101 of the constitution and range from determining the political direction of the government (in consultation with an advisory committee) to commanding the armed forces to declaring war, peace, and the mobilisation of armed forces to pardoning or commuting sentences upon recommendation of the head of the judiciary. Khomeini's conception of Islamic government was centred on the doctrine of the guardianship of 'the jurist', known as velayat-e faqih, and this continued at the heart of the government that followed under Khamenei. This gives the supreme leader extensive powers, including control over the military, judiciary and media. This doctrine plays a vital role in legitimising theocratic power in Iran, linking religious authority with the state. Discussion about velayat-e faqih continues within Iranian society as part of an ongoing dialogue between traditional religious authority and civil society. Read more: The question of who might come to power after Khamenei was raised during the grassroots uprising and pro-democracy protests around Iran in 2022 and 2023. It was expected that any transition would take a considerable amount of time, especially if the aim was for a more democratic form of government. The current war might suggest a different outcome. Even though the Israeli attacks on Iran have again sparked discussion of a possible change of leader, the public is focused now on their own safety, and defending Iran, not on political change. Any external war or threats coming from outside Iran has historically united Iranians against aggressors. This means that the path to democratic change is not likely to be created, or helped, by Israeli air strikes or US threats. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Sahar Maranlou does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
India.com
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
World's most expensive party ever was hosted by…, had 18 tonnes food, 25000 wine bottles, 2700 kg meat; spent more money than Mukesh Ambani, he was…
Before the Ambanis wowed the world with extravagant billion-rupee celebrations, an Iranian king held such a party that is still referred to as the most expensive party in history. 18 tonnes of food, 25,000 bottles of wine, 100 aircraft, and a whole lot more that will make the Ambani wedding hype look small. So, who was he? Here is the story of a royal, lavish feast that raised the bar. Not too long ago—just fifty years ago—Iran appeared like a different place compared to today. In the early 1970s, it was typical to encounter women dressed in Western attire throughout public spaces, and the country was viewed as modern and progressive. However, everything changed in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi Monarchy. In its place was the formation of the Islamic Republic and drastic changes throughout the cultural, social, and political landscape of the country, especially as it applied to women's rights and freedoms. Iran underwent a major change after the 1979 revolution, which marked the end of Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini. One of the dramatic incidents that fueled indignation in public sentiment was a lavish celebration by the Shah, and one that at the time was possibly the largest party ever. Although the celebration was aimed at indicating Iran's legacy and contemporary power, it became a jarring visual demonstration of excess and disconnection from ordinary citizens. Many outraged people took offense at such a glaring disparity between the luxury of their ruler, while they struggled in their own lives, and this disparity helped fuel the overthrow of a 2,000-year-old monarchy. In 1941, Mohammad Reza Shah a wealthy ruler, came to power. Eager to pursue a vision of a modernized Iran, he championed the Western experience, pushed for the enactment of liberal reforms, and rejected age-old customs—including the widespread use of the hijab. His intentions would forever change Iran, and he set out to reform the nation into a modern, progressive state, from which religious clerics and conservative groups fiercely opposed. Dissent, whether openly or quietly, had no place in Iran, and all who challenged or critiqued his rule faced censorship, incarceration, or political silencing. In 1971, Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi hosted what is still regarded as the grandest party in human history, celebrating 2,500 years of the Persian Empire. The event took place in the ancient ruins of Persepolis, and included royalty from and dignitaries from 65 invitees flown in to witness some event that nobody had ever seen before and no one would ever see again. But behind the gold-trimmed tents and sparkly lights was an incredible story of ambition, as well as growing discontent. As per the media reports, the event cost an astounding $100 million and led to widespread discontent. Planning for the celebration started in 1970, but as the planning grew larger, the Shah and his associates understood that the Tehran home could not accommodate anything to that level. So, the Shah decided to put on the celebration at Persepolis, or empty desert space. They built a city out of tents in the desert–one that was a luxury city. The final price tag? A mind-blowing $100 million, which is a lot of money today. While in the Shah's mind the celebration was a grand tribute to Iran's legacy,–to many in the country and outside of it, it was merely on display that there was ample wealth and that many could see the extravagance of the $100 million dollar party only contributed to the anger and angst of everyday Iranians and also outside of the royal government. That party, glorious as it was, is now merely seen as one of the precursors of the fall of the monarchy just a few years later. Persepolis, the site of the celebration, had monumental historical importance – it was the burial site of Cyrus the Great, the first emperor of Persia. However, in 1971, this historical land was dramatically altered along a vast 30-kilometre stretch to host a royal spectacle unlike any other. While the desert was filled with riches – champagne flowed, gourmet meals were served, and guests dined off golden tableware – life in the rest of Iran told a very different story. In many regions, Iranians were still struggling to meet basic daily needs such as clean drinking water, healthcare, and housing. This glaring difference between a king celebrating a glorious past in the lap of luxury and a nation struggling to make ends meet only served to widen the gap between the palace and the people. According to the media reports, to create a false oasis in the middle of the desert, the Shah's advisers even imported 50,000 birds for the atmosphere of a jungle. Sadly, most perished in a few days from the extreme desert climate. A temporary luxury city of tents was constructed in the desert sands which housed the dignitaries. The logistics are staggering: 40 trucks and 100 planes came from France just to transport the materials for the elaborate tents. The enormity of the celebration seemed other-worldly – 18 tonnes of food, 180 waiters, 2700 kg of meat, and 25,000 bottles of fine wine were prepared for the kings, queens and top political leaders from around the world. In light of the global leaders in attendance, security was enhanced to unprecedented levels. But, while the world elite were dining under chandeliers made of crystal, in tents draped in silk, ordinary Iranians were still wrestling with poverty, unemployment, and water shortages. The extravagance was so extreme that the event was dubbed, 'the world's most expensive party.' For countless Iranians, it was not just extravagance; it was painful reminder of how remote their ruler had become.
First Post
13 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Iran-Israel War: How Tehran & Tel Aviv Went from Friends to Arch-Enemies Firstpost America
Iran-Israel War: How Tehran & Tel Aviv Went from Friends to Arch-Enemies | Firstpost America | N18G Iran-Israel War: How Tehran & Tel Aviv Went from Friends to Arch-Enemies | Firstpost America | N18G Iran and Israel were once friends, allegedly sharing intelligence, oil, and military ties. But after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, relations collapsed. Iran's first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, allegedly ended all cooperation with Israel, denounced its occupation of Palestine, and reportedly closed its embassy. Despite alleged secret dealings during the Iran-Iraq war, tensions rose over time. Iran's alleged support for anti-Israel groups and Israel's fears over Tehran's missile and nuclear programmes turned the former friends into arch-enemies. Now, with their conflict entering its seventh day, the decades-long hostility is reaching a dangerous new phase. Watch the video to know more. See More
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Iran's leader rejects call to surrender, saying U.S. intervention would cause 'irreparable damage'
Published Jun 18, 2025 • 4 minute read This photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, shows Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised speech, under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday rejected U.S. calls for surrender in the face of blistering Israeli strikes and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage' to them, in an official statement read by a state TV anchor. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The remarks from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has only been seen once since the strikes began, came after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' in a social media post and warned Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is but has no plans to kill him, 'at least not for now.' Trump initially distanced himself from Israel's surprise attack on Friday that triggered the conflict, but in recent days has hinted at greater American involvement, saying he wants something 'much bigger' than a ceasefire. The U.S. has also sent more warplanes to the region. An Iranian official had earlier warned Wednesday that U.S. intervention would risk 'all-out war.' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei did not elaborate, but thousands of American troops are based in nearby countries within range of Iran's weapons. The U.S. has threatened a massive response to any attack. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Another Iranian official said the country would keep enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, apparently ruling out Trump's demands that Iran give up its disputed nuclear program. Strikes in and around Tehran The latest Israeli strikes hit a facility used to make uranium centrifuges and another that made missile components, the Israeli military said. It said it had intercepted 10 missiles overnight as Iran's retaliatory barrages diminish. The U.N. nuclear watchdog said Israel had struck two centrifuge production facilities in and near Tehran. The Israeli military said it also carried out strikes in western Iran, hitting missile storage sites and a loaded missile launcher. Israeli strikes have hit several nuclear and military sites, killing top generals and nuclear scientists. A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones in retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 24 people in Israel and wounded hundreds. Some have hit apartment buildings in central Israel, causing heavy damage, and air raid sirens have repeatedly forced Israelis to run for shelter. Iran has fired fewer missiles as the conflict has worn on. It has not explained the decline, but Israel has targeted launchers and other infrastructure related to the missiles. Casualties mount in Iran The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said it had identified 239 of those killed in Israeli strikes as civilians and 126 as security personnel. The group, which also provided detailed casualty figures during 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, crosschecks local reports against a network of sources it has developed in Iran. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls during the conflict and has minimized casualties in the past. Its last update, issued Monday, put the toll at 224 people killed and 1,277 others wounded. Shops have been closed across Tehran, including in its famed Grand Bazaar, as people wait in gas lines and pack roads leading out of the city to escape the onslaught. A major explosion could be heard around 5 a.m. in Tehran Wednesday morning, following other explosions earlier in the predawn darkness. Authorities in Iran offered no acknowledgement of the attacks, which has become increasingly common as the Israeli airstrikes have intensified. At least one strike appeared to target Tehran's eastern neighbourhood of Hakimiyeh, where the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has an academy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Israel says it launched the strikes to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, after talks between the United States and Iran over a diplomatic resolution had made little visible progress over two months but were still ongoing. Trump has said Israel's campaign came after a 60-day window he set for the talks. Iran long has insisted its nuclear program was peaceful, though it is the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. U.S. intelligence agencies have said they did not believe Iran was actively pursuing the bomb. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons but has never publicly acknowledged them. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Iran's ambassador to Geneva, Ali Bahreini, told reporters that Iran 'will continue to produce the enriched uranium as far as we need for peaceful purposes.' He rejected any talk of a setback to Iran's nuclear research and development from the Israeli strikes, saying, 'Our scientists will continue their work.' He said Trump's remarks were 'completely unwarranted' and 'very hostile,' and that Iran could not ignore them. He said Iranian authorities were 'vigilant' about the comments and would decide if the U.S. crossed any lines. 'Once the red line is crossed, the response will come.' Israel welcomes first repatriation flights Israelis began returning on flights for the first time since the country's international airport shut down at the start of the conflict. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Two flights from Larnaca, Cyprus, landed at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday morning, said Lisa Dvir, an airport spokesperson. Read More Israel closed its airspace to commercial flights because of the ballistic missile attacks, leaving tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad. The conflict has disrupted flight patterns across the region. — Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi in Iran, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva, contributed. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs NHL
Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times
Inside the Iranian opposition, from a rapper to the Shah's son
T he banner was unfurled over a Tehran bridge by night, with a message scrawled in spray paint. 'Those who experienced the Iran-Iraq war,' it read, 'demand no war again.' The dissidents behind this modest protest a few months ago sought to cover their tracks, wary of the unforgiving punishment that befalls critics of the Islamic regime. But they had decided to take the risk, one organiser in Iran said, because they 'believe Iran is very close to opening a new regional war, which will cost Iran and all Iranians … Enough is enough. If you don't take risks, you can't expect rewards.' That moment feared by dissidents, who are mostly students — just like the ones that helped Ayatollah Khomeini overthrow the Shah in 1979 — has now come. Across the region, and above all in Israel and the US, the question is being asked as to how many such dissidents there are and what risk they pose to the Islamic Republic's clerical leaders.
