‘Naughty and playful?’ Khamenei’s decade-old tweets go viral; social media trolls Iran’s Supreme Leader

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing a storm of ridicule online after a series of odd, decade-old tweets resurfaced just as Iran entered a direct conflict with Israel.

The newly dug-up posts, some from as far back as 2013, include light-hearted personal reflections that stand in sharp contrast to his current war-driven rhetoric.

Post from 2013:

Before studying "Glimpses of World History" by Mr. #Nehru I didn't know #India before colonization had undergone so many important #advancesReactions: "So you read, but never learn. That's why still no nukes after 50 years.""Nehru was real vishwaguru.""Bro is the PR master"

Post from 2013:

“I went 2school w/a cloak since1st days;it was uncomfortable 2wear it in front f other kids, but I tried 2make up 4it by being naughty&playful."Reactions:“U have nothing 2 B ashamed of. You’re just as naughty and playful as ever”“Naughty. Israel has to punish you.”“Hey bro you're 90 what are you doing”“didn't knew supreme leader of iran is so chill”

Post from 2015:

"I'm not into cinema and visual arts but when it comes to poetry and novels, I'm not just a typical audience. #Books #AvidReader"Reactions:“Yass queen”“Booktok Khamenei”“lol.

Straight bangers.”“Someone find his Goodreads account.”

Post from 2013:

"When I was young student of Islamic school, my father wasn't eager to let me go to gym ..."Reactions:“You have a gym in the bunker?”“Is that the reason you are such a weak leader?”“Must have sucked. I have heard Hitler was rejected from the art school he wanted to attend too. Didn't justify it for him, won't do it for you!”“Daddy issues?”These resurfaced tweets began circulating widely just as Khamenei vowed that “the Iranian nation is not one to surrender” while missiles continued to be exchanged between Iran and Israel.

The conflict has drawn global attention, with US President Donald Trump making it clear he does not want Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.Khamenei also warned that if the United States got involved, it would face “irreparable damage.”Israel has fired back with words of its own, calling the Ayatollah “the modern Hitler” and declaring that he “should no longer continue to exist.”