Topic: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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How the world is reacting to Obama's reelection

From China to Iran, President Obama's reelection elicited everything from celebration to doubt about his second-term agenda. Here are 11 responses:
Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV

World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
Hezbollah 101: Who is the militant group, and what does it want?

The Shiite militant group and political party is a player not just in Lebanon, where it is based, but across the broader Middle East. It remains a staunch opponent of Israel, which it fought to a standstill in 2006, and a close ally of Iran and Syria – despite both regimes' crackdowns on citizens Hezbollah purports to champion.
Iran's nuclear program: 4 things you probably didn't know

Do the US and Israel believe that Iran has a nuclear weapons program? Did President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really promise to "wipe Israel off the map"? The answers may surprise you.
Israel's coalition government: Israeli and Arab media react

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Israel (and its Arab neighbors) when he announced the creation of a unity government on May 8: Israeli and Arab media react.

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Iran's Ahmadinejad, at UN, has much to say, but will there be talks?

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on the world stage again at the UN, says Iran is ready for a dialogue on its nuclear program, but Western powers say they have received no formal response from Iranian officials on when the talks would start.
Iran's Ahmadinejad wants talks with West. Iran's hard-liners balk.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said this week he's open to talks, has lost the backing he enjoyed in the immediate aftermath of last year's election.
After Sarah Shourd's release, questions over the other US hikers

American hiker Sarah Shourd has been reunited with her family, but questions remain over the two Americans still in Iranian custody.
Sarah Shourd clemency offer bittersweet for American mothers

Sarah Shourd clemency: Iranian officials have announced that on Saturday they will release one of the Americans but said nothing about the fate of Americans Shane Bauer or Josh Fattal.
Iran to release one of three US hikers amid pressures at home and abroad

In addition to facing outside pressures on nuclear initiatives and human rights issues such as the US hikers, Iranian officials still fear the opposition Green Movement at home.
Why Iran suspended woman's stoning sentence

Iran suspended the stoning sentence for a woman convicted of adultery amid mounting international pressure, including the European Parliament's 658-1 resolution against such punishment.
US and Iran face off – at World Basketball Championships

The US and Iran set aside controversy over Iran’s nuclear program to play a World Basketball Championships match that featured NBA players including Hamed Haddadi of Iran.
3 Reasons Israel will attack Iran

A long article out this week in The Atlantic argues there's a good chance Israel will attack Iran over its nuclear program next summer. While there are strong grounds for doubt, here are some reasons author Jeffrey Goldberg could be right.
Ahmadinejad assassination attempt: Why a new leader wouldn't change Iran much

Iran downplayed early reports of an assassination attempt on populist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this morning, saying a firecracker exploded near his convoy. Would an Iran without Ahmadinejad be much different?
Gallery: World's biggest energy hogs
Tense calm on eve of anniversary of disputed Iran election

One year after the disputed Iran election that returned President Ahmadinejad to office, many say the revolution and the regime have lost legitimacy. Green Movement opposition leaders, who called off a rally, are facing growing criticism of their tactics.
Beyond Iran sanctions: Iran's failing legitimacy

Sanctions on Iran should be a secondary issue for the International community. The priority should be challenging the moral and political legitimacy of violence by the Iranian state against its own citizens.
Why Iran's Revolutionary Guard wants to escort new Gaza flotilla

Iran is worried that Turkey is stealing the limelight on an issue Tehran has championed since 1979: the Palestinian cause. So its Revolutionary Guard has offered to escort an Iranian Gaza flotilla.
Iranian president blasts Israel for flotilla attack at Ayatollah Khomeini anniversary

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blasted Israel for its deadly flotilla attack Monday and warned the government opposition not to stray from the path set by the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, 21 years after his death.
As sanctions loom, is Iran sending peace signals to the US?

Beyond the usual anti-American rhetoric, some analysts say that Iran is trying to avoid sanctions and resolve tensions with Washington over its nuclear program.
American mothers leave Iran without securing release of detained US hikers

The American mothers who traveled to Iran to see detained US hikers Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal, and Sarah Shourd have left the country without securing their children's release. They did get another visit with them today.
Three hikers jailed in Iran reunite with their moms

Three American hikers jailed in Iran for 10 months were allowed to see their mothers.
Why Israel supports watered-down Iran nuclear sanctions

Israel says that Iran nuclear sanctions proposed to the UN Security Council are weaker than it would like, but the symbolism of international unity is important.
Mothers visit three US hikers held in Iran

The mothers of three US hikers detained in Iran the past ten months on spying charges held an emotional reunion with their children on Thursday.
Brazil, Turkey try to hammer out 'last chance' Iran nuclear fuel swap deal

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew late Sunday to Tehran sounding bullish about a possible Iran nuclear fuel swap deal that could help Iran avoid another round of UN sanctions.
NPT 101: Why Iran sees nuclear 'hypocrisy'

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad argued at the NPT Review Conference that the US, the only nation to use a nuclear bomb in war, has not lived up to its promises of nonproliferation. Iran seeks help from the NPT to level the playing field.
Why Iran's Ahmadinejad is pushing to cut popular government subsidies

President Ahmadinejad is seeking to cut $40 billion in government subsidies to create, in effect, a slush fund that critics say will be used as a political tool to keep voters and his political allies happy.
Iran war games begin with new 'ultra fast' speed boats

Iran's war games in the Persian Gulf began earlier than usual this year with a display of new attack speed boats and rhetoric.
Iran denounces Washington nuclear summit, prepares its own

Iran said it would not be bound by any decision made by the 47 nations at this week's nuclear security summit in Washington. Tehran is preparing to hold its own counter-proliferation summit next weekend.
Washington and Tehran rhetoric heats up over Iran nuclear program

The rhetoric between US and Iranian leaders has taken a sharp negative turn over the Iran nuclear program. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Iran's government a "menace" while Supreme Leader Khamenei said the US is not to be trusted.