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.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, who ruled Iran for three decades, has been killed during the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, as announced by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by Iranian state TV. His death marks a significant and uncertain turning point for Iran and the wider region.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, who ruled Iran for three decades, has been killed during the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, as announced by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by Iranian state TV. His death marks a significant and uncertain turning point for Iran and the wider region.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would "not yield to excessive demands" on its nuclear programme after Tehran resumed negotiations with the United States for the first time since last June's conflict. Pezeshkian insisted Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful and said the country was ready for verification, though he emphasized Iran will not compromise on its sovereignty.
12 February 2026 · New Era →
Senior US and Iranian officials are meeting in Oman for direct negotiations as military tension rises following Iran's violent suppression of anti-government protests and a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. The talks, brokered by regional mediators, aim to de-escalate conflict, though the two countries remain divided on key issues including Iran's nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and regional proxies.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei characterized recent anti-government protests as a "coup" and warned that any US military attack would trigger a regional war. The IRGC has faced designations as a terrorist organization by the European Union and United States, prompting Iranian lawmakers to retaliate by labeling European armies as terrorist groups.
2 February 2026 · New Era →
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any American attack would spark a regional conflict as the US deployed forces nearby, while Iran's Foreign Minister expressed confidence in nuclear negotiations despite distrust of the US as a negotiating partner. The tensions follow a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests and concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.
2 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Trump claims Tehran has told the US it has "no plan" to execute protesters and will not carry out hangings, though the US has not ruled out military action in response to Iran's violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators that began in late December. The US and UK are reducing personnel at their military base in Qatar as a precautionary measure, and multiple countries have temporarily closed embassies or advised citizens to avoid Iran amid escalating tensions.
15 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Iranian authorities have violently suppressed widespread protests that began in late December over currency devaluation and escalated into calls to end Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule. The US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency has confirmed at least 2,400 protester deaths, including 12 children, over three weeks, with the deadliest violence occurring last Thursday and Friday as security forces shot demonstrators across all 31 provinces.
15 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Eyewitnesses in Iran describe security forces and paramilitary units opening fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters, with credible accounts suggesting dozens to hundreds killed across multiple cities. Iran has cut internet access and barred international media from reporting freely, making independent verification difficult, though human rights groups estimate at least 648 deaths including minors.
13 January 2026 · The Namibian →