Also known as: Khamenei · Ali Khamenei · the late ayatollah · his father · the supreme leader · Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei · Supreme Leader · Supreme Leader of Iran · Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei · the previous supreme leader · supreme leader Ali Khamenei · Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei · Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei · Sayyed Ali Khamenei
Former supreme leader of Iran killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, ending three decades of rule.
An Israeli airstrike hit Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold largely emptied by repeated attacks and evacuation warnings. The strike, which Israel said targeted the militant group, killed at least eight people including civilians in separate strikes across Lebanon.
7 April 2026 · New Era →
An Israeli airstrike hit Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold largely emptied by repeated attacks and evacuation warnings. The strike, which Israel said targeted the militant group, killed at least eight people including civilians in separate strikes across Lebanon.
7 April 2026 · New Era →
Iran's parliament speaker warned that Iranian forces were "waiting for American soldiers" as 3,500 additional US troops arrived in the Middle East, threatening to "rain fire" on any forces attempting to enter Iranian territory. The deployment comes amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations in Iran, though US officials have not confirmed whether troops will be deployed.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Explosions struck Tehran following a night of bombing as US President Trump pressed allies to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; the conflict, now in its third week, has spread to Lebanon and Iraq, displaced millions, and driven oil prices up five percent, though major allies including Britain, Germany, Japan, and Australia have refused military involvement.
18 March 2026 · New Era →
An Electoral Commission commissioner argues that US and Israeli military strategy targeting Iran's leadership has backfired due to Iran's decentralized command structure and the religious significance of slain leaders as martyrs. He suggests Iran is pursuing a war of attrition, leveraging low-cost drone technology to impose unsustainable defense costs on its adversaries.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Israel's military said it has begun "limited and targeted ground operations" against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and protecting northern Israeli residents. The operations follow earlier Israeli air strikes and reflect escalating tension after Hezbollah's recent attacks involving hundreds of daily rocket launches toward Israel.
17 March 2026 · New Era →
Donald Trump told NBC News he is not ready to seek a deal to end the war with Iran, saying terms are not good enough, while US-Israeli forces continue strikes and Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. Israel has approved an emergency military budget of $827 million as the conflict enters its third week, with neither side moderating rhetoric despite mounting death toll and economic damage.
16 March 2026 · New Era →
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has assumed Iran's top position following his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination, taking charge as the Islamic Republic confronts existential conflict. The reclusive cleric, who lost family members in the same strike and has never held public office, now leads a hardline regime while facing threats from the US and Israel, domestic opposition, and economic pressures from escalating Middle Eastern conflict.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran's Assembly of Experts has voted to appoint a new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though the name has not yet been announced. Reports suggest the late leader's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, may be the chosen successor, though the announcement remains pending and the US has objected to his potential selection.
9 March 2026 · New Era →
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's Ali Khamenei who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, has been selected as his successor. The 56-year-old has kept a low profile and holds a mid-ranking clerical rank, raising questions about his credibility as supreme leader under Islamic Republic principles that favour religious standing and proven leadership over hereditary succession.
9 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's ambassador to Egypt says more than 100 Namibians are in the Middle East as the Iran-US-Israel conflict intensifies, and the embassy is facilitating voluntary evacuation efforts while prioritizing citizen safety. Some evacuees have criticised the Namibian consulate in Dubai for lack of communication and assistance during the crisis.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →