Ali Khamenei to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Tehran
  • Last updated on

Iranian Supreme Leader created a stir on Thursday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
Ali Khamenei »
See more news, pictures and video.

Sad news for Khamenei fans. Speculation had been rife that the Iranian Supreme Leader is about to announce his retirement from politics, at age 86, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 05/12/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a political figure isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a political figure just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAli

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouAli was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Ali Khamenei was unlike any other political figure we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouAli”
— @universalObserver, 4 Dec 2025
“Khamenei wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 4 Dec 2025

© 2025 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Ali Khamenei: Recent News

 

page served in 0.039s (1,2)