Iran’s Khamenei endorses Ahmadinejad as Iranian president

September 11th, 2009 Iran's supreme leader warns opponents in sermonTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader has warned opponents that any confrontation with the country's Islamic establishment would meet with a "harsh response." The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were a clear message to the Iranian opposition and reformists who have challenged his authority in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. Khamenei says authorities will strongly punish those who "take up the sword" to "confront the principles of the Islamic system." But he said peaceful differences and criticism by officials would be tolerated.

September 6th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has nominated another woman for the education ministry after his first female nominee was rejected by the parliament, a media report said Sunday. Ahmadinejad has introduced parliament deputy Fatemeh Alia as replacement for the rejected Susan Keshavarz, the official news agency IRNA reported.

August 3rd, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has endorsed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his second term in office, a media report said Monday. Ahmadinejad was declared the victor of the June 12 election with almost two-thirds of the votes, Press TV reported.

August 3rd, 2009 BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not send a customary letter of congratulation to re-elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his inauguration due this Wednesday, a government spokesman said in Berlin. Merkel's spokesman Klaus Vater said at a press conference in Berlin Monday that "in view of his controversial re-election, the Chancellor won't be congratulating" Ahmadinejad.

August 3rd, 2009 Iran's Ahmadinejad endorsed for 2nd termTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader has formally endorse Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for second term as president in a step leading up to his inauguration in parliament. State television broadcast images of the ceremony Monday with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei giving the president his seal of approval.

August 3rd, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, formally endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for second term as president Monday in a ceremony that sought to portray unity among the country's leadership but was snubbed by prominent critics of the disputed election. After Khamenei gave his official seal of approval, he received an awkward kiss on the shoulder from Ahmadinejad.

July 27th, 2009 TEHRAN - His political opponents accuse him of electoral fraud and refuse to recognise his re-election as president. People on the streets signal their resentment towards him with calls of "Death to the dictator".

July 21st, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran's parliament plans to force President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to sack his vice president, a parliamentary deputy told the ISNA news agency Tuesday. "The elimination of Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei from key positions such as first vice (acting) president is a strategic decision by the establishment, and (also) the supreme leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) has conveyed this to the president," Mohammad-Hassan Abutorabi-Fard told ISNA.

June 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The Obama Administration sent a letter to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for an improvement in relations, prior to the June 12 disputed presidential elections, which were followed by massive people protests. Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed the letter toward the end of a lengthy sermon on Friday, in which he accused the United States of fomenting protests in his country in the aftermath of the disputed June 12 presidential election.

June 19th, 2009 Key points from Khamenei addressKey points from the Friday prayers address by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Dismisses charges of voting rigging in the June 12 presidential election and sides with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who official results showed was the landslide winner. This effectively closes the door on chances for a recount or new election.

June 13th, 2009 LONDON - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has taken an "unassailable lead" in the presidential election, according to official figures. As the official results show 52-year-old Ahmadinejad would be back for a second term, his supporters began pouring on to the streets of the capital city Tehran.

June 9th, 2009 Past Iran president warns top leader before voteTEHRAN, Iran — A powerful former Iranian president urged the country's top leader Tuesday to take "serious action" against hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for accusing current and former top government officials of corruption in a televised election debate. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a powerful figure in Iran's clerical leadership, increased the political tension in an already highly charged campaign by going directly to the supreme leader, who has the final say in state matters and normally stays above the political fray.

June 5th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blasted the country's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for labeling his critics corrupt during a furious television debate on Wednesday. Ahmadinejad traded charges with his main opponent in the upcoming presidential elections Mir Hossein Mousavi.

May 29th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Friday reiterated that Tehran was ready to negotiate with the US but stressed that the talks should be held under "equal conditions". The Americans keep sending us messages for negotiation.

February 3rd, 2009 TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has complimented Iranian scientists for their success in sending the first domestically-produced satellite into orbit, IRNA reported. In a message Tuesday in response to a letter from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed appreciation for the efforts of Iranian officials and scientists 'for their efforts which made such a praiseworthy move possible'.