Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran designated as state sponsor of wrongful detention, Marco Rubio announces

"The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran," Rubio said, as Trump states he is "not happy" with the negotiations.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters in a departure lounge before returning to Washington following meetings with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis on February 25, 2026.
Iranians protest on a main street in Tehran, December 30, 2025

Iran's Islamic regime will fall when its pillars of loyalty begin to crack - opinion

Real change occurs when the mechanism of loyalty begins to crack; when those loyalists understand that, at a decisive moment, they may find themselves standing alone.

|ByELI AVIDAR
Protesters hold placards and Hezbollah flags during a demonstration condemning recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon February 4, 2026.

Should Hezbollah announcement shift Israeli view of intensity of Iran attack? - analysis

Hezbollah said that it will stay out of the war and not attack Israel if any American or Israeli attack on Iran is limited to certain Iranian capabilities.

|ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
People take cover as siren warns of incoming missiles fired from Iran, at a public bomb shelter in Katzrin, northern Israel, June 19, 2025.

Embracing go-bags, gallows humor, Israelis live in limbo as Trump teases war with Iran

“There’s no preparing,” Silverlieb said. “What does that even mean?” The New Jersey native added, “If anything, we probably should be preparing to get the hell out of the country.”

|ByDEBORAH DANAN/JTA

‘Mouse Ali’: Khamenei’s hidden network sustains his authoritarian rule from hiding

Bayt-e Rahbari has allowed Khamenei’s authority to remain intact in his absence and, according to United Against Nuclear Iran, highlights the regime’s durability.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks on during a meeting at the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran November 19, 2023.

Iranian opposition orgs. urge ICC probe into regime's alleged crimes against humanity

Legal analysts cited in Western coverage say the ICC faces jurisdictional challenges because Iran is not a member of the Rome Statute.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Iranian Protesters gather around burning cars near a masque while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 8, 2026.

Eretz Nehederet mocks Iran crisis: From Purim rain to ballistic missiles

The producers of the satirical sketch comedy brought back their mockery of Iran as its potential conflict with the US looms large.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
On Eretz Nehederet, Trump gives Iran “the final deadline” – and extends it

Iranians turn universities into battleground against Islamic regime

One protester told The Media Line: “Left or right, what is certain and inevitable is the inevitable destruction of the Islamic Republic.”

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByOMID HABIBINIA/THE MEDIA LINE
Students supporting Reza Pahlavi chanted slogans in his favor across several universities. Furthermore, for the first time, they also chanted against the leftists, who are considered the primary rivals of the monarchists.

Trump’s Iran calculus: A final diplomatic gamble or a countdown to conflict? - analysis

In his longest State of the Union yet, Trump framed Iran as an imminent threat, raising the question of whether he was signaling diplomacy or preparing the public for conflict.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
US President Donald Trump gestures on the day he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.

IRGC kills, arrests at least 100 MEK fighters in clashes near Khamenei's Tehran headquarters

Iran’s IRGC said it killed or arrested at least 100 MEK fighters during clashes near Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Tehran headquarters, with MEK confirming the incident and reporting heavy losses.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026.

Iran expected to submit draft agreement to US ahead of Geneva talks

US officials expect Tehran to present a comprehensive proposal rather than a document outlining general principles.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the day he addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of US-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026.

Israel will use 'unimaginable' force if Iran attacks, Netanyahu warns at Knesset

Speaking at a 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, the prime minister said that he issued a direct warning to Iran over making "the largest mistake in its history by attacking" Israel.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByKESHET NEEV
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 23, 2026

Iran could order proxies to attack American targets in retaliation if US strikes - NYT

Attacks could reportedly include the Houthis resuming its attacks on Western shipping boats in the Red Sea, or Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, and other "affiliates" attacking US bases or embassies in Europe.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
People wave flags next to an Iranian missile on display during the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, February 10, 2025.

Khamenei takes steps to ensure succession amid rising fears of US strikes, assassination - NYT

Iran’s supreme leader has appointed his close ally, Ali Larijani, as the country’s de facto leader, sidelining the elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026.