Iran Warns France over ‘Insulting’ Cartoons Depicting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

THE GUARDIAN: Publication by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo ‘will not go without effective response’, says Tehran foreign minister

Ayatollah Khameni, Iran’s supreme leader, pictured in May 2021. Photograph: Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock
Iran has summoned the French ambassador over publication of caricatures of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The weekly magazine published dozens of cartoons ridiculing the highest religious and political figure in the Islamic republic as part of a competition it launched in December in support of the protest movement that began in Iran last September.

Later on Wednesday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it had summoned the French ambassador, Nicolas Roche.

“France has no right to insult the sanctities of other Muslim countries and nations under the pretext of freedom of expression,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanani. “Iran is waiting for the French government’s explanation and compensatory action in condemning the unacceptable behaviour of the French publication.”

The foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, tweeted: “The insulting and indecent act of a French publication in publishing cartoons against the religious and political authority will not go without an effective and decisive response.” » | AFP in Paris | Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Lire l'article suivant en français :

L’Iran ferme un institut français après la publication par « Charlie Hebdo » de caricatures : Pour son numéro spécial « 7 janvier », date anniversaire de l’attentat contre « Charlie Hebdo » en 2015, l’hebdomadaire satirique a choisi de soutenir les Iraniennes et les Iraniens et d’infliger une « raclée aux mollahs », selon les termes de la « une ». »

Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei Praises Militia for Brutal Crackdown | DW News

Nov 26, 2022 | The Iranian football team's refusal to sing their national anthem was bigger news than the scoreline in their first match. But they were singing again ahead of their 2-nil win over Wales, following alleged pressure from the government. It is just one sign of the huge risks Iranian people are taking to show their dissent - at a World Cup increasingly overshadowed by human rights issues. But Iranians are not limiting their protests to stadiums in Qatar. Demonstrations continue in Iran - with several taking place in Tehran and other cities on Saturday, according to social media. Activists say security forces opened fire on a crowd gathered in the city of Zahedan in the southeast after Friday prayers. Dozens are feared dead or wounded. In a speech on Saturday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the Basij militias that have been at the heart of the government crackdown.

Iran Says 'Idiotic' New US Sanctions Have Closed Path to Diplomacy

THE GUARDIAN: Foreign ministry spokesman accuses Trump administration of destroying peace and security

Iran says the US decision to impose sanctions on its supreme leader and other top officials is “idiotic” and has permanently closed the path to diplomacy between Tehran and Washington.

Donald Trump imposed new sanctions on Monday against the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and top military chiefs, in an unprecedented step designed to increase pressure on Iran after Tehran’s downing of an unmanned American drone. Khamenei is Iran’s utmost authority who has the last say on all state matters.

Washington said it would also impose sanctions this week on Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, who negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal with the US and other major powers and has spearheaded Iranian diplomacy since.

Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, described the White House as “afflicted by mental retardation” and said the sanctions against Khamenei were “outrageous and idiotic”, especially as the 80-year-old cleric has no overseas assets and no plans to ever travel to the US. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Iran's Leader to Europe: Fulfil Demands or Nuclear Deal Is Dead | Al Jazeera English

Iran's supreme leader has set out conditions for Tehran to stay in its nuclear deal with world powers, including steps by to be taken by European banks to safeguard trade with Tehran after the US withdrawal from the deal.

European powers must continue buying crude oil, protect Iranian oil sales from US pressure and promise to not seek new negotiations on Iran's ballistic missile programme and Middle East activities, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's official website said on Wednesday.

Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi reports from Tehran.

Iran's Leader Lashes Out at Trump, Saudis for Anti-Tehran Alliance

REUTERS.COM: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out on Sunday against U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's leaders for their new regional alliance against Tehran, saying it would bear no fruit.

Trump singled out Iran as a key source of funding and support for militant groups during his visit to Saudi Arabia in late May, two days after the Iranian election in which pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani won a second term.

During Trump's visit to Riyadh, the U.S. sealed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, Iran's regional arch-rival.

Khamenei called the visit a display of brazenness.

"The U.S. president stands alongside the leaders of a tribal and backward system and does the sword dance, but criticizes an Iranian election with 40 million votes," the supreme leader said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.

"Even with a multi-billion dollar bribe to America, the Saudis cannot achieve their goals in the region," he said. » | Reuters | Sunday, June 4, 2017

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Criticises 'Arrogance' of the United States Following Nuclear Deal

Khamenei said US policies in the region
were "180 degrees" opposed to Iran's policies

THE TELEGRAPH: Iran's Supreme Leader has praised his country's negotiators for reaching a nuclear deal, but lashed out at the US for seeking Iran's "surrender"

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has launched an attack on the United States and its Middle East policies, saying Washington sought Iran's "surrender".

Four days after the signing of a nuclear deal in Geneva – an agreement ten years in the making – Khamenei delivered a fiery speech at a Tehran mosque, punctuated by chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel". He said he wanted politicians to examine the agreement to ensure national interests were preserved, as Iran would not allow the disruption of its revolutionary principles or defensive abilities.

An arch conservative with the last word on high matters of state, Khamenei repeatedly used the phrase "whether this text is approved or not", implying the accord has yet to win definitive backing from Iran's factionalised political establishment.

"Whether the deal is approved or disapproved, we will never stop supporting our friends in the region and the people of Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain and Lebanon," he said.

"Even after this deal our policy towards the arrogant US will not change." Read on and comment » | Reuters | Saturday, July 18, 2015

Iran's Supreme Leader Posts Photo of Himself Trampling Israeli Flag: 'The Zionist Regime Is Doomed'

The caption on this photo, posted on supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's website[,] is 'The Zionist
Regime is Condemned to Vanish' 

CNS NEWS: (CNSNews.com) – A photograph posted on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s official website--as the Obama administration was finalizing negotiations on a deal intended to prevent Iran from building a nulcear [sic] weapon--shows the walking stick-waving supreme leader striding across, and apparently glaring at, a painted representation of Israel’s national flag.

The caption on the photo, according to a translation by American Enterprise Institute scholar Michael Rubin, reads, “The Zionist Regime is Condemned to Vanish.”

“The Zionist regime is a regime with very shaky pillars,” the caption continues. “The Zionist regime is doomed. The Zionist regime is an imposed regime and was created with intimidation. Nothing created with intimidation can last long and this one will not last long either.” » | Patrick Goodenough | Monday, July 13, 2015

Iran's Supreme Leader Says Western Sanctions Must Go When Nuclear Deal Is Signed

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivering
 speech to a packed crowd earlier this month

THE TELEGRAPH: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declares that inspection of military sites is "out of the question" and appears to renege on commitments that Iran has already made

Iran's Supreme Leader drew his "red lines" for a final nuclear agreement on Tuesday night, demanding the "immediate" lifting of sanctions as soon as a deal is signed.

Diplomats from Iran and six world powers are racing to negotiate an accord that would settle the confrontation over Tehran's nuclear ambitions by a deadline of next Tuesday.

But Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's sudden intervention may complicate their efforts. In a televised speech, the Supreme Leader appeared to renege on commitments that Iran has already made.

"Sanctions should be lifted immediately when the deal is signed and it should not be linked to verification by the UN watchdog body," said Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final say over all policy questions. » | David Blair | Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Americans Are 'Back-stabbers' and 'Tricksters' Says Iran's Leader after Senate Letter

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Republic-ans are unrepentant over the letter warning that a future president might revoke a nuclear deal with Iran. But Ayatollah Khamenei did not condemn the talks and experts say agreement remains possible

Iran’s Supreme Leader accused “back-stabbing” America of “tricks and deceptions” on Thursday as the clock ticked towards a deadline for a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a caustic response to an open letter from 47 Republican senators, warning that a future US president might revoke any nuclear deal with Iran.

This message – furiously denounced by President Barack Obama – raised the possibility of Iran walking away from an agreement while deflecting the blame on to America.

"Of course I am worried, because the other side is known for opacity, deceit and back-stabbing,” said Ayatollah Khamenei in a speech to the Assembly of Experts, Iran’s most senior body.

"Every time we reach a stage where the end of the negotiations is in sight, the tone of the other side, specifically the Americans, becomes harsher, coarser and tougher. This is the nature of their tricks and deceptions.” » | David Blair, and Peter Foster in Washington | Thursday, March 12, 2015

Obama Receives Secret Letter by Iranian Leader Ayatollah Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al Khamenei reportedly sent a secret letter to President Obama responding to requests the president made amid nuclear talks. Iran's spiritual leader wrote to Obama in recent weeks to respond to a presidential letter sent in October that suggested the possibility of U.S.-Iranian cooperation in fighting the Islamic State is a nuclear…

Ayatollah Urges Western Youth to Examine Islam

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a public
gathering at his residence in Tehran, Jan. 7, 2015.

TIME: Khamenei encouraged Western youth to find out about Islam for themselves and not allow their image of it to be clouded by prejudice

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has appealed to youth in North America and Europe to seek out their own understanding of Islam and ignore prejudice in the media.

In the letter published on his Twitter account Wednesday night, Khamenei said he was addressing Western youth because “the future of your nations and countries will be in your hands.” » | Naina Bajekal | Thursday, January 22, 2015

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei: America and Europe Failed to Bring Iran to Its Knees on the Nuclear Issue

Iran's Supreme Leader Calls for the Destruction of Israel

Jul. 30, 2014 - 2:05 - Iranian opposition groups demand stronger sanctions against Tehran

Iran Considers Ban on Vasectomies in Drive to Boost Birthrate

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

THE GUARDIAN: Supreme leader sees family planning policy as an imitation of western lifestyle and aims to double Iran's population

Iran's parliament is seeking a ban on vasectomies and a tightening of abortion rules as the country moves away from its progressive laws on family planning in an attempt to increase the birthrate.

Two decades after Iran initiated an effective birth control programme, including subsidised male sterilisation surgeries and free condom distribution, the country is to make a U-turn.

Last year the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticised existing policy on contraception, describing it as an imitation of western lifestyle.

The 74-year-old has urged the government to tackle what he believes to be an ageing population and to double the number of people in Iran from 77 million to at least 150 million.

This week Tehran's conservative-dominated parliament, the Majlis, voted to discuss banning vasectomies and introducing punishments for those involved in encouraging contraceptive services and abortions, local agencies reported. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Hassan Rouhani's New York Diplomacy 'Not Proper' Says Iran's Supreme Leader

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran's Supreme Leader voiced guarded criticism of President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday, saying that some aspects of his diplomacy at the United Nations in New York were “not proper”.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who sits at the apex of Iran’s power structure, said that he supported Mr Rouhani’s overtures to the West, but denounced America for being “untrustworthy”.

Since assuming the presidency in August, Mr Rouhani has made clear his wish to settle the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear ambitions within “months not years”. While in New York last month, he offered “peace and friendship” to Americans and spoke by telephone to President Barack Obama for 15 minutes, the first direct contact between the leaders of the two countries since Iran’s revolution in 1979.

However, this conversation is believed to explain Ayatollah Khamenei’s criticism. America had offered a meeting between the two presidents, but Mr Rouhani is understood to have lacked the Supreme Leader’s authority to accept. In choosing to speak to Mr Obama by phone instead, Mr Rouhani was implicitly defying the Ayatollah’s instructions. » | David Blair | Saturday, October 05, 2013

Related »

Ayatollah Khamenei Hints Iran May Be Ready to Come In from the Cold

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran has delivered the strongest indication yet it is prepared to make concessions on nuclear issues to end international isolation and sanctions, with the Supreme Leader announcing he was "not against" a diplomatic outreach to the West.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that a new policy of openness proposed by Hassan Rouhani, the new reformist president, could bring positive benefits for Iran.

He said he believed in "heroic flexibility" as he endorsed "rational foreign policy".

Mr Rouhani has approved talks between Mohamad Zarif, the US-educated foreign minister, and William Hague, his British counterpart, in New York. There is also growing speculation that a ground-breaking encounter with US diplomats is on the cards.

A raft of positive statements from Iran about opening up to the West in recent days however prompted a warning from Israel that any new talks should stick to the principle that Iran should give up its attempts to enrich uranium and close suspect facilities.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said he would meet President Barack Obama at the same New York meeting at the end of the month and demand the US not take the threat of military intervention off the table in return for talks. He said the West must stick to the basic demands that Iran stop all uranium enrichment, export all enriched uranium from the country, close its underground nuclear facility in Qom and halt construction of a plutonium reactor. » | Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tens of Thousands in Iran Protest against Khamenei, Chant 'Death to Dictator'
A funeral of a senior dissident cleric turns into biggest anti-government protest in years.

Read the Haaretz article here | Haaretz and Reuters | Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: The European Races Are Barbaric Races | Channel 1 (Iran) - May 10, 2013

Ex-Revolutionary Guards General Reveals Dissent Within Elite Iranian Force

THE GUARDIAN: Former senior officer accuses Khamenei of having 'blood on his hands' and questions intentions over nuclear programme

A former general of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards has accused the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of having blood on his hands over the brutal crackdown on the opposition, and described government claims that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful as a "sheer lie".

In a letter to prominent opposition activist Mohammad Nourizad (website in Farsi), the former officer gives a rare glimpse of political dissent within the ranks of the elite force in charge of the nuclear programme and Khamenei's personal security.

Identified only by his initials, the general says that he and a number of his colleagues were threatened with execution for disloyalty and then – after a series of secret courts-martial – dismissed "because we refused to participate in the betrayals and the crimes committed by our seniors".

"I'm writing this letter to you to tell our people that there are still many generals and members of staff within the Revolutionary Guards who are opposed to these crimes and are waiting to join the people," the letter reads. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ayatollah: West Fearful of Islamic Iran
UPI.COM: TEHRAN -- Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, said Sunday the West was more fearful of Iran's fervent Islam than its nuclear program.

The religious leader spoke Sunday at the 23rd anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomenei and claimed Iran was stronger than ever despite Western efforts to keep the country at bay. » | UPI | Sunday, June 03, 2012