Ali Khamenei's 45-Year-Old Interview Resurfaces After His Death

The recent death of Ali Khamenei has reignited interest in a 45-year-old interview where he identified America as Iran's 'worst enemy.' This interview, which has gone viral on social media, showcases Khamenei's consistent stance over the decades. Following his death in a US-Israel strike, the interview clip has garnered millions of views, reflecting on his legacy and the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. Discover more about Khamenei's life and the implications of his statements in this detailed overview.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 19:49 IST

A Look Back at Khamenei's Historic Interview

In 1979, Iran experienced a significant transformation with the Islamic Revolution, leading to the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah. This pivotal moment ushered in the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ruhollah Khomeini. Notably, an Australian television program became the first to interview one of the key figures of this new regime, Ali Khamenei, who later ascended to the position of Supreme Leader in 1989. During this interview, when asked about Iran's greatest adversary, Khamenei's response remained consistent throughout his life: 'America.'

Recently, a segment of this interview gained traction on social media, particularly after Khamenei's death, which was confirmed by Iranian state media following a joint strike by the US and Israel on February 28. The clip features the interviewer questioning Khamenei about his 'friends' and 'worst enemy.' Khamenei's reply to the latter was unequivocal: 'America.'

The viral post, shared by the account 'Saffron_Sniper1' on Instagram, highlighted this exchange, garnering over 3 million views. The post read: 'This 45-year-old interview of Ali Khamenei, who has been killed in a U.S. strike, is going viral again! Interviewer: Your country is anti-American, anti-Soviet, anti-Israeli, and anti-some Arab countries. Who are your friends? Who is your worst enemy? Ali Khamenei: America.'

In a twist of fate, Khamenei's assertion about America being Iran's 'worst enemy' proved prescient. The military operation against Iran, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury,' was initiated by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) around 1:15 am ET. Prior to the attack, former President Donald Trump indicated that the US was at a critical juncture regarding Iran, expressing dissatisfaction with ongoing nuclear negotiations. Trump was the first to announce Khamenei's death, which was later corroborated by Iranian media.

Khamenei served as Iran's Supreme Leader for over 36 years after his election in 1989, until his recent demise in the US-Israel coordinated attack.